East and West School Districts, Career-Connected Learning

As a participant in Colorado Succeeds’ career-connected program (Homegrown Talent Initiative), East and West Grand School Districts, known in HTI as “The Grands,” partner with local businesses to provide students with work-based learning experiences (internships, job shadows, informational interviews). Agriculture, government, mining, and tourism are the primary industries and through HTI, The Grands have placed high school students in internships within these fields. Other industry partners include careers in welding, journalism, fire protection, electricity, plumbing, physical therapy, nonprofits, and health. Additionally, students participate in career fairs and complete concurrent enrollment coursework. The Foundation was proud to begin supporting The Grands through a two-year challenge grant in mid-2021. By early 2022, 122 students were actively interning at 82 businesses across Grand County.