Colorado invests $90m to close skills gap with workforce grants

Colorado is making a major push to close the state’s skills gap, backed by nearly $90 million in new workforce grants and tax credits.

A key part of the effort is the Excel Center in Aurora, a tuition-free high school for adults run by Goodwill of Colorado. The school is preparing a new generation of workers for high-demand jobs.

The state’s initiatives are in response to a critical labor shortage. According to Colorado Succeeds, the state faces tens of thousands of jobs unfilled by 2030, with most top-tier positions requiring postsecondary education.

More than 90% of Colorado’s family-sustaining jobs require education beyond high school, and less than 30% of Colorado high school graduates receive a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree within six years, according to Colorado Succeeds.

More than 300,000 Coloradans lack a high school diploma, a major barrier to employment that pays a family-sustaining wage. Adults who complete high school can earn $7,000 more per year, reducing reliance on social services and strengthening the economy.
The Excel Center recently welcomed its second class, following the graduation of 68 students in its inaugural year.

The program offers a supportive environment that goes beyond a traditional curriculum. Director Dave Bechtold said the school focuses on personal growth, teaching “employability skills” in addition to core subjects.

“We know [students] have the desire to get a high school diploma,” Bechtold said.

The Excel Center helps its student get their high school transcripts so they can receive as much credit as possible before entering the program. It also conducts an assessment of each student to ensure they are enrolled in the correct classroom level.

He noted the dramatic transformation he has seen in students, who often arrive with little confidence but leave with a new sense of purpose.

“I’m amazed at how my teachers can help students in a math or social studies class and weave in information about communication and responsibility and help them in their next job or career space,” Bechtold said. “It’s a very dynamic environment.”

When students are approaching graduation, they are enrolled in the Senior Seminar, which helps with resume writing, college applications, certification programs and interviewing skills.

Fifty-year-old student Roddrick Marshall exemplifies the program’s impact. He had earned his GED years ago but wanted the experience of completing his high school diploma in a classroom setting.

He has also received a microcredential certificate in forklift operation.

“It just felt like a homey environment,” Marshall said, praising the support he received from teachers and classmates.
“Go to The Excel Center if you want a nurturing environment. They’re there to help you, you have a lot of support.”

The state’s efforts extend beyond high school completion. Goodwill of Colorado is also helping to fill jobs in the clean energy sector through its Clean Tech Accelerator program, which trains workers to maintain and repair electric vehicle infrastructure.

“Goodwill wants to be a footprint in our community,” Bechtold said. “We want to expose business people and educators to our program.”