By Curtis Englehart, Executive Director for Grand Junction Economic Partnership (Originally published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel – September 20, 2025 ) 

As students return to the classroom this fall, local partners are working to ensure that education and access to opportunities across the valley are aligned with growing industry needs. From K12 to higher education and into the workforce, our community is building strong pathways that connect learning with career opportunities.

September celebrates Workforce Development Month, an important time to highlight the impactful work of our partners. At the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, we work closely with businesses considering relocation or expansion into the region. Consistently, education and workforce development rank among the top considerations for decision makers. Companies want to know not only what the talent pool looks like today, but also how communities are preparing talent pipelines for the future.

As the needs of our economy evolve, workforce development partners are implementing new initiatives, strengthening relationships, and finding ways to connect our current and emerging workforce to opportunity.

Preparing Students Early

At School District 51, efforts are underway to prepare the next generation of talent by embracing new tools including the topic of AI in the classroom, celebrating historic academic scores, and strengthening partnerships with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) and CMU Tech. The 2024-25 academic year demonstrated record-breaking PSAT/SAT scores released through the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, helping to quantify the academic momentum of local schools.

Among the successes for the district is its partnership with CMU, which provides concurrent enrollment opportunities, allowing students to take college-level or vocational courses and earn credit while still in high school. Beyond credit hours, many students are graduating with industry credentials, allowing them to jump-start their careers.

These early investments in our students matter because strong K-12 outcomes reassure employers that our local talent pipeline begins with quality education and continues into postsecondary education and training. As community partners work to develop industry pathways, starting with K-12 is essential.

Higher Education & Industry Connections

Colorado Mesa University and CMU Tech are at the forefront of bridging education and industry. This month, CMU hosted its Fall Career Fair and launched a new season of Mav’s Industry Hours, connecting students with professionals across targeted fields. These events don’t just help students explore career paths; they also give businesses direct access to the next generation of talent.

CMU Tech continues to expand its reach through access to hands-on learning with its innovative mobile learning and on-campus labs focused on Allied Health, Welding, and Mechatronics. The Allied Health Mobile Lab has participated in events, including the Plaza Bilingual Fair, and CMU Tech has been able to use these facilities to reach businesses and students in Mesa County and beyond.

CMU’s programs and emphasis on career readiness ensure that higher education aligns with industry needs, ensuring employers that our workforce possesses the skills and access to training needed to meet demand. In addition to various degree and technical programs, CMU Tech offers customized training resources for employers, including safety and compliance training, supervisor training, LEAN manufacturing, and more.

Expanding Apprenticeships and Workforce Pathways

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce is advancing workforce readiness through its West Slope Works program, recently bolstered by a $99,994 grant through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. These funds will support Registered Apprenticeship Programs by offsetting costs including mentor wages, instructor support, and training expenses to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities throughout Mesa County and surrounding areas.

Apprenticeships create a direct pathway into high-demand careers by combining real-world experience with hands-on training. Employers can gain talent they can shape through skill development that suits their needs, while apprentices contribute value from day one.

Regional collaboration extends this impact even further. The Fruita and Palisade Chambers of Commerce are supporting a Rural Workforce Initiative to address the unique challenges smaller communities may face. For businesses evaluating our region, this spirit of collaboration across sectors signals that Mesa County works together to solve problems.

Connecting Talent with Opportunity

The Mesa County Workforce Center remains a vital hub for both employers and job seekers through no-cost services including job search and resume assistance, workshops, candidate testing, on-the-job training programs, recruitment, and more.

Many of the businesses we work with at GJEP have been able to utilize these services, notably the On-the-Job Training Program, which provides reimbursement of up to 75% of the employee wage rate for a set period and assessment screenings for candidate skill levels. Career fairs have also been a powerful recruitment tool, helping companies like Amazon recruit close to 100 new employees.

On October 2nd, Mesa County Workforce Center will host its Fall Career Fair at their location, 512 29 ½ Rd. This event will be an opportunity for job seekers and employers to connect face-to-face while building connections that strengthen our local economy

Building a Resilient Future

Whether it’s in the classroom, at a career fair, or through apprenticeships, our community is investing in its people through workforce development initiatives that support the competitiveness of our regional economy. By aligning education with workforce needs, our community is recreating a more resilient and future-focused talent pipeline.

If you are interested in learning about economic development in the region and business growth at Las Colonias, please contact me by emailing curtis@gjep.org.