Success Stories: Work-Based Learning in Northern Colorado
Work-based learning opportunities work. Several local businesses have opened their doors to the Alliance and its resources and have seen tremendous success. We’re stronger when we all work together, and those stories are best told by the organizations that currently work with the Alliance or have in the past.
Read more below about how NoCo Inspire connected these businesses with resources and partners that helped their businesses and organizations thrive!
OUR PARTNERS’ SUCCESS STORIES
My Journey as and Intern at Hexagon Machine
Stepping into the world of real manufacturing can be daunting, but for many interns, it’s a transformative experience that shapes their careers. My time at Hexagon Machine was nothing short of eye-opening. Having been part of robotics teams since the 4th grade, ranging from Lego Robotics to the First Tech Challenge and First Robotics Challenge—I was eager to learn [...]
CSU Career Center Intern Testimonials
“I felt like it was a down to earth community that respected those who worked hard. Field time gets you what school can’t. There is so much wisdom outside the classroom. If you stay in an office you are robbing yourself of the experience and wisdom that comes with project based careers.” – CSU Student Intern with Zak George [...]
Shaping Futures: How Platte Valley Hospital’s Internship Program Inspires the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals
From Stephanie Aldrich, Manager of Volunteer Services: Platte Valley Hospital launched its High School Student Internship and Observation Program in 2021, inspired by a student from Riverdale High School who expressed interest in observing the NICU unit. This student, aspiring to become a NICU nurse, sought hands-on experience before beginning her college studies. After spending time observing our NICU, [...]
Weld Central High School Student Learned a lot at Intermountain Health – Platte Valley Hospital
Exploring career possibilities and developing workplace skills are at the heart of a successful internship experience. Here's how one Weld Central High School student, Caitlyn, described the impact of her healthcare internship at Intermountain Health - Platte Valley Hospital: Through my internship, I was able to learn a lot more about the area I was interested in which was [...]
Interning at Intermountain Health – Platte Valley Hospital
Citlaly, a student at Weld Central High School who interned at Intermountain Health - Platte Valley Hospital, made the most of her internship by applying her skills. She shared: "I knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field, but I wasn’t sure what area until I did my internship. I learned that I enjoyed the radiology [...]
Software Engineering Intern Success
Hello everyone! My name is Kyle Pham and I am a 3rd year Computer Science major here at CSU concentrating in Software Engineering. Spending my summer at the Translational Neurological Laboratory as an Intern has been extremely valuable. I am truly humbled to be working with such intelligent, driven, passionate, and exceptionally talented Occupational Therapists as my Laboratory Directors. [...]
Fastenal Welcoming Interns
For Fastenal’s Northern Colorado businesses, the concept of internships is relatively new. While Fastenal as a company has a long history of welcoming interns, our goal remains consistent: finding the right people. We have many full-time employees and leaders today who started as interns with Fastenal while in college. In NoCo, this goal is no different. Last summer, in [...]
Vectis Automation College Internship Testimonial
Vectis Automation has, and will continue to be, very active with college internships. I have seen over three companies, over 20 years, the power of hiring and developing talent through college internships. Over 80% of the talent of Fort Collins company, Wolf Robotics by the time we sold the business to Lincoln Electric company, were originally interns that grew [...]
Outstanding Apprenticeship Employer – Independent Plumbing Solutions
Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) has long been committed to fostering local economic growth and supporting workforce development initaitives. In partnership with Independent Plumbing Solutions (IPS), LCEWD made a significant impact on the lives of eight plumbing apprentices through the utilzation of IDEA funds and the launch of IPS's IDEA-Initiated Registered Apprenticeship Program. This collaboration provided vital [...]
Outstanding Apprenticeship Employer – Thompson School District
Thompson School District Innovative Technology Services continues to feed their IT technician talent pipeline with youth apprentices. 2 more students were hired this summer from their apprenticeships into full-time Technician II positions. TSD ITS has hired a total of 6 TSD students from their apprenticeships into permanent positions. They frequently utilize the school-based student internship program to feed their [...]
Outstanding Apprenticeship Employer – Broadcom
Broadcom has hired several 10th grade students at Fossil Ridge High School. Students start in June - summer before their junior year. Students work full time in the summer gaining valuable manufacturing career related experience. Students then work part-time at Broadcom once school starts in August while taking 1/2 day classes at Fossil. Students learn to balance school and [...]
Outstanding Apprenticeship Employer – A+ Heating and Air
A+ Heating and Air is making an impact on the future of skilled trades by developing an an apprenticeship program, partnering with Roosevelt High School's Work-Based Learning department. One shining example of the success of this partnership is Roosevelt senior Grant Stratton, who is on the path to becoming a certified HVAC technician through this innovative program. For the [...]
Outstanding Apprenticeship Employer – Banner Medical Group
Banner Medical Group started using the Apprenticeship pathways in 2021 in pharmacy tech and medical assistant roles, the latter of which has been a hard to fill role for the organization. They have trained 3 students as Pharmacy Technician and 64 apprentices as Medical Assistants. These apprenticeships pathways have increase the retention of their employees.
Outstanding Apprentice – Juan Tena Jr.
Our very first youth Electrical Apprentice started his journey on October 7th! In December 2023, as an early graduate, he began seeking his future career as an electrician. He worked tirelessly following through with leads provided by Career Wise, local community members and the state directory to finally land employment with Western Electric in February 2024. The only hold [...]
Outstanding Apprentice – Grant Stratton
Roosevelt High School senior Grant Stratton is working towards becoming a certified HVAC technician through the school’s Fall Work-Based Learning program. For the past two years, he has been working as an HVAC intern at A+ Heating and Air, honing his skills and learning the trade firsthand. Now in his final year, he is excited to complete his apprenticeship [...]
Outstanding Apprentice – Alex Mahoney
Alex is working at Banner Health as a Pharmacy Technician Apprentice. Banner reports that Alex is making wonderful contributions at work, and approaching each shift with initiative, reliability, and curiosity. Alex is subsequently doing related instruction through Front Range Community College, which involves a robust class load, including 3 courses online and commuting once per week for an additional [...]
Outstanding Apprentice – Connor Bugbee
Under the expert mentorship of Independent Plumbing Solutions, one Roosevelt High School student, Connor Bugbee, was able to continue his apprenticeship training after graduating in May 2024. His journey is a testament to the effectiveness of hands-on learning, where they have not only mastered the intricacies of plumbing but also significantly contributed to the team’s success. His accomplishment highlight [...]
Spring Apprenticeship Breakfast Success
On May 4th, over 60 businesses from around the Northern Colorado Region gathered for an informational breakfast focused on all the options for starting apprenticeship programs. The event garnered very positive feedback from attendees, and thirteen businesses have scheduled follow up consultations to potentially create apprenticeship programs. NoCo Inspire is seizing on the momentum and launching an apprentice recognition [...]
NoCo Manufacturing Sector Summer Internship Success
The youth intern placed at Better Process through the Northern Colorado Manufacturing Sector Partnership had a great learning and real world career experience. Out of twenty applicants, she was the top candidate for this internship position because of her positive attitude. This attitude showed in her work as she went above and beyond on the job. Throughout her internship, [...]
Northern Colorado Health Sector Summer Internship Success
A youth intern placed at UC Health Medical Center of the Rockies had a great and meaningful experience this summer, she not only confirmed her future career as a trauma surgeon but she was able to gain more knowledge in healthcare as she worked in multiple aspects of the radiology department. With this being the first internship that UCHealth hosted [...]
Victoria – ESWC Success Story
Victoria, a 16-year-old who lacked a high school diploma or equivalent, determined traditional schooling wasn’t working for her. Upon this realization, she knew she needed to find a program to help her with basic education obtainment. Victoria enrolled in an alternative school in January 2020, quickly progressing through the curriculum in the self-paced program. She was doing so well [...]
Shaela – ESWC Success Story
COVID-19 attributed to the reduction of Shaela's parents' work hours. Her family needed income and, since many of the places that usually hire youth (food and non-essential retail) were closed, Shaela visited ESWC for assistance. Using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, ESWC created Weld CARES 4 Youth, a program to assist young adults impacted (or [...]
Julius – ESWC Success Story
Julius was a dishwasher at a local restaurant. Due to the pandemic and the Governor’s orders to shut down in-person dining, Julius was reduced to two hours of work a week. With bills still coming in, such as phone and car insurance, and drastically reduced income, Julius needed a new source of income. Many of the typical areas that [...]
Front Range Success Story
“I am learning a ton and enjoying clinic days. It’s really a great experience to combine classroom learning with actual clinical experience with real patients. I think it helps the learning stick.” MA Apprentice, Associates in Family Medicine
Student Finds Success in 3D Printing
My internship with Poudre School District went well! I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in the 3D Printing Manufacturing Process, mainly on the production side of things, specifically post-processing. Apparently, I did a good job with my work too because they offered me a position throughout the school year and possibly even next summer! – Jesse, Fossil [...]