MONTE VISTA – The Upper Rio Grande Economic Development monthly meeting was on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista and featured keynote speaker and Pathway Director Ashley Maestas, who gave a presentation on the Attainment Network program here in the Valley. 

According to Maestas, the Attainment Network is an organization driven to bridge the gap between education and workforce systems throughout the San Luis Valley and to heighten opportunities for students to access internships and work-based learning.  

Attainment Network began in the Denver area in 2014 and has since moved to other locations including the San Luis Valley. After completing an analysis of the area, Attainment Network determined that the SLV was a prime location to launch their first rural pathway opportunity program to enhance partnerships between employers and educational institutions including Trinidad State and local school districts. 

Maestas explained that this program is focusing on the lack of healthcare workers here in the Valley and by bringing this program into the area, they will be able to help fill the need for CNA, RN and medical assistance lacking in the area. 

“We determined that there is a need of about 322 medical professionals in the Valley and through our many partnerships with employers like SLV Health, Valley-Wide Health and Rio Grande Health we can bring students interested in this career path to work-based learning opportunities and help them with outlying issues stopping them from seeking higher education,” stated Maestas. 

Attainment Network’s mission is to, “Transform education-to-workforce systems, erase persistent and pervasive equity gaps, expand opportunities for all learners, and meet the economic demand for a highly skilled and educated workforce. By building networks and utilizing a career-connected pathways strategy to drive collaboration, we can increase the number and diversity of Colorado learners who complete education and skills training, leading to family-living wage employment and economic opportunity.” 

One of the first things Attainment Network looked at when considering the SLV for the program was how many schools offered nursing programs through their district curriculum. It was determined that only three districts out of the 11 in the Valley offered any type of higher education nursing programs.  

“It was at this point that we started to ask how can we help? What can we do to get other districts interested in offering these types of programs and what are the challenges students face?” 

Thanks to the many efforts of both workforce employers and educational institutions in the Valley, Attainment Network was able to create a pathway for students interested in a medical career by expanding programs, changing school schedules and starting virtual/highbred classes to fit the needs of the students. 

“We could not have done this without the help of our many partners including Trinidad State, the Boys and Girls Club, Colorado Workforce Development Council and many more. We will be able to offer newly revised programs that make it easier for students to pursue higher education through our local opportunities.” 

Maestas also stated that the pathway program can offer paid internships in the near future as well as access to a mobile unit that can go to schools on a set schedule to help with labs and testing opportunities for those who may not be able to attend in person lessons.  

By 2026, the program will have funding and resources to help fill 300 of the 322 positions needed in the San Luis Valley with potential to expand into other areas of work-based learning. For more information, visit www.attainmentnetwork.org.