C.R.S. § 24-46.3-104: Career pathways - design - legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly finds that creating industry-driven career pathways for education assists students in entering the workforce and provides industries with the talent pipeline necessary to fuel Colorado's economy. Recognizing the need for the coordinated development of career pathways for students, the general assembly enacted section 24-46.3-103 in 2014, tasking the state council to work collaboratively with the department of higher education, the department of education, the department of labor and employment, and the Colorado office of economic development to analyze Colorado's labor market conditions and in-demand occupations to inform the creation and evolution of career pathways for students. Creating career pathways for job placement in growing industries and in-demand occupations will:

(a) Improve education and career advising and navigation for Coloradans interested in postsecondary opportunities designed to meet labor market needs;

(b) Increase the number of Coloradans completing degrees, apprenticeships, and other credentials;

(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2026.)

(d) Increase entry into in-demand occupations and increase wages over time;

(e) Create better transitions for students in the career pathways from high school, community colleges, or adult education programs to apprenticeships, higher education, or into the workforce;

(f) Create better connections between postsecondary education and workforce readiness initiatives in high school and adult workforce programs; and

(g) Through partnerships with industry, assist students in obtaining work experience and employment during and after their participation in training and educational programs.

(2) Repealed.

(3) (a) The state council, in collaboration with its partners, and after consulting with local workforce boards and a task force within the department of education consisting of leadership from the department of education and superintendents of local school districts, shall design, maintain, and update integrated career pathways for students within industry sectors identified in the annual Colorado talent report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 as growing industries and that have in-demand occupations.

(b) (I) In collaboration with its partners pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, and at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year and at the beginning of each academic year thereafter, the state council shall, subject to available appropriation or money from other sources, design or update career pathways that are ready for implementation for in-demand occupations in growing industries.

(II) The state council shall continue to work to identify growing industries and in-demand occupations that are appropriate for career pathway development based on the data provided in the annual Colorado talent report.

(c) Industry, through regional sector partnerships, statewide trade associations, and other appropriate councils or entities, shall review each career pathway annually to ensure that the career pathway remains relevant to the industry and shall provide input for ongoing adjustments to the career pathway to meet workforce needs.

(d) Career pathways designed pursuant to this section shall include:

(I) Apprenticeship and other work-based learning options when relevant to the career pathway and available in the state;

(II) Direct alignment with postsecondary and work force readiness and individual career and academic plans in high schools. The department of education and local school districts through postsecondary and work force readiness coordinators shall partner with the state council to achieve the alignment.

(III) Initiatives for adult and out-of-school youth when relevant to the career pathway and available.

(4) In designing career pathways, the state council shall:

(a) Coordinate the career pathway work group made up of all partners' subject matter experts to ensure that career pathways are comprehensive and integrated across secondary, postsecondary, work force, and industry education and training programs and to ensure that all partners are engaged in the design of the career pathways; and

(b) Use the sector partnership model and relationships with statewide trade associations to ensure that all career pathways are industry driven and relevant. A career pathway shall not be designed without active industry engagement throughout the process, from the beginning of the process through the final career pathway that is ready for implementation.

(5) and (5.5) Repealed.

(6) Once a career pathway is completed pursuant to this section, the state council, in coordination with partner agencies, trade associations, and other councils or entities, shall facilitate outreach and training to advise students on the career pathways for all partners involved in implementing the career pathway, as well as other local, regional, or state entities that are interested in promoting the career pathway to students.

(7) (a) Once a career pathway is completed pursuant to this section, the state council shall, subject to available appropriation or money from other sources, collaborate with the department of higher education and the department of labor and employment to publish the career pathway on a state-provided, free online resource. At a minimum, the following information must be included:

(I) Industry-sector career awareness;

(II) Salary and wage information for the industry-sector career;

(III) The industry-sector employment forecast;

(IV) Information on programs within the career pathway, services provided, and financial aid opportunities for students; and

(V) Online student support services.

(b) Academic institutions may, in designing or updating programs:

(I) Integrate career pathways into student advising and academic planning;

(II) Align academic and training programs to provide clear curricular sequences that lead to stackable, industry-recognized credentials; and

(III) Embed aligned, work-based learning opportunities as an integral component of the student experience in collaboration with industry.

(c) The state council may use money appropriated by the general assembly pursuant to section 24-46.3-101 (13) or money from any other source to add additional information and tools to the online platform that promotes career pathways.