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Work Experiences in High School

Concurrent Enrollment: Work Experiences in High School

Work-Based Learning

Gaining valuable work experiences (more than job shadowing) while in high school prepares you for a top job in Colorado! Ask your school if there are opportunities to earn Concurrent Enrollment credit through an apprenticeship or internship program.

Research shows that students who have work or work-based learning opportunities in high school have better postsecondary grades and better employment and wage outcomes by age 23.

Colorado's Work-based Learning Continuum. View full alt text at http://www.cde.state.co.us/concurrentenrollment/workbasedlearningcontinuum-alt

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Colorado's Fastest Growing Occupations

Every year, in partnership with other state agencies, the Colorado Workforce Development Council provides a report on the state of work in Colorado called the Colorado Talent Pipeline.

Top 10 Essential Skills Across All Occupations

Skill

Frequency in Job Postings

Management

26%

Customer Service

24%

Sales

22%

Communications

19%

Operations

18%

Leadership

16%

Innovation

15%

Valid Driver's License

9%

Problem Solving

8%

Presentations

8%

Source: EMSI 2019.3 Data

Colorado's Key Industries

In 2011, Colorado identified 14 major industries that drive the state’s economy. In 2018, the annual average employment in these industries was 2,138,180, meaning that the majority of nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado are encompassed in the key industries, and these jobs are growing faster than those not included in these industries.

Aerospace
 

Electronics
 

Defense &
Homeland Security

Information &
Technology

Tourism &
Outdoor Recreation

Financial
Services

Transportation &
Logistics

Bioscience
 

Energy &
Natural Resources

Infrastructure
Engineering

Health &
Wellness

Creative
Industries

Food &
Agriculture

Advanced
Manufacturing

Source: Colorado Workforce Development Council