The bill establishes a work-based learning consortium pilot program within the Department of Higher Education (the department), aimed at expanding opportunities for students to gain work-based learning experiences while enrolled in higher education. Here's a breakdown of the key components:
Pilot Program Formation:
By July 1, 2026, or within 90 days of receiving sufficient funding, the department will set up a consortium made up of representatives from institutions of higher education.
Goals of the Consortium:
Best Practices Sharing: To share strategies for improving access to quality work-based learning experiences for students.
Meeting Workforce Needs: To help institutions connect academic learning with real-world experiences and better prepare students for careers through skill development.
Recommendations: The consortium will offer suggestions to the General Assembly and institutions of higher education on effective practices.
Final Report:
After the 3-year pilot program, the consortium must submit a report to the education committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, covering:
Findings and Recommendations from the consortium.
Impacts on participating institutions, including the effects of additional work-based learning activities on students, faculty, and employers.
Suggestions for statutory changes, financial resources, and policy changes needed to enhance successful work-based learning opportunities.
Funding:
Funds appropriated to the Commission on Higher Education can be used to cover the costs associated with fulfilling credit-bearing work-based learning requirements for students required to graduate from higher education institutions.
This program aims to connect students more closely with the workforce and ensure they have hands-on learning experiences that will help them in their careers.
Summary
The bill creates the work-based learning consortium pilot program
(pilot program) in the department of higher education (department). The purpose of the pilot program is to develop and expand the integration of work-based learning experiences for students enrolled in higher education.
On or before July 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the department receives sufficient funding, the department shall convene a consortium consisting of a group of representatives from institutions of higher education to:
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Share best practices on improving access to quality work-based learning opportunities for students;
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Help participating institutions of higher education meet workforce needs in Colorado and connect academic learning with real-world experiences through career preparation and skill development for students; and
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Make recommendations to the general assembly and institutions of higher education on the best practices.
Subject to available appropriations, at the end of the 3-year pilot
program, the consortium shall complete and submit a report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or their successor committees. The report must include:
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A description of the consortium's findings and recommendations;
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Details on the consortium's impacts on participating institutions of higher education and the effects of creating additional work-based learning activities on students, faculty, and employers; and
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Recommendations for statutory changes, financial resources, department policy changes, and institution of higher education policy changes necessary to improve successful work-based learning opportunities for students in institutions of higher education.
Funds appropriated to the commission on higher education
(commission) may be used by the commission to cover the costs of work-based learning requirements for students who are required to complete credit-bearing work-based learning requirements to graduate from an institution of higher education.
