Arapahoe Community College Part Of CCCS Pilot Program

DENVER, CO —The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) announced Tuesday that it has been awarded a grant to build education programs —called micro-pathways —in the energy and healthcare industry.

The Education Design Lab (EDL), a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit that designs and implements new learning models for higher education, presented the grant of $262,500 to the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges. The EDL also said it will provide an additional $1 million in technical support to CCCS.

The money will be used to build programs that are designed with input from learners and employers and combine two or more stackable credentials in energy and healthcare, both considered high-growth, high-paying fields. The new programs within the community college system can be completed in a year or less, the CCCS said.

According to the EDL, these types of programs offer more flexibility and a clearer return on investment for adult learners.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Education Design Lab and roll out this exciting approach to program design at our colleges," said Joe Garcia, chancellor of the CCCS. "This collaboration keeps us at the forefront of work-based learning innovation and will help us meet the needs of our growing adult learner population."

According to the CCCS, the program will be piloted at the multiple colleges within the system, including: Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Lamar Community College, Northeastern Junior College and Pueblo Community College.

"The Lab's funding and technical assistance will help jumpstart these programs in energy and healthcare—two dynamic and essential industries in Colorado," said Michael Macklin, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce development at CCCS.

Macklin continued: "By mapping out learning tracks combining non-credit and credit-bearing courses, as well as industry-recognized credentials, students will have clear paths into jobs that are high-skill, high-wage and in-demand with the opportunity to earn a certificate or associate degree."