The Colorado State University System and the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) are launching a regional workforce initiative to meet Southwest Colorado’s most urgent labor needs. Drawing on CSU Extension’s deep local presence and NASH’s system‑level expertise, the initiative creates short training pathways that move nontraditional learners not currently enrolled in high school or college into high‑demand jobs and respond directly to employer requests for talent.
Training structure: Each badge includes two eight‑week courses—one durable‑skills course and one field‑specific technical‑skills course—followed by a compensated workplace learning experience.
Community‑based learner support: A core innovation of this model is recognizing that community-based organizations (CBOs) are not just support providers—they are trusted partners embedded in the communities where learners live and work. Rather than relying solely on institutional advising, each learner is paired one-to-one with a local CBO that provides personalized navigation, hybrid learning support, and coaching from enrollment through employment. This sustained, community-rooted guidance addresses the real-world barriers that most often derail working adults before they can complete a credential and connect to a career.
Scale: NASH’s Office of Workforce Development—which supports workforce strategy in partnership with higher education systems and employers nationwide—has identified Colorado as a top priority for engagement in 2026 and beyond. This decision reflects the state’s strong system-level leadership, its clear and urgent talent needs, and a highly engaged employer community known for its willingness to innovate and collaborate on workforce solutions. As badge programs develop, NASH will capture and share lessons from Colorado to inform and scale workforce strategies at its member systems nationwide.
How employers are leading: What makes this approach distinctive is that it starts with employers. Local employers and regional economic development professionals form a steering committee of 6-10 members to surface real-time labor needs, identify skills gaps, and define the competencies workers will need to be hire-ready. CSU then translates those inputs into a two-course curriculum and structured workplace learning experiences, delivered in partnership with CBOs and community colleges.
Steering committee timeline:
- Initial virtual convening: March 2026
- Steering committee formed: April 2026
- Pathway selection: May 2026
- Curriculum development: Summer 2026
- First learner cohort: November 2026
Invitation: Join this steering committee to provide industry insights and commit to hosting apprenticeships that complete each badge.