Work-Based Learning Experiences in Higher Education
The bill intends to eliminate barriers to work-based learning participation, particularly for underrepresented groups such as women and first-generation students, by establishing a consortium that shares best practices and facilitates the development of work-based learning opportunities. This initiative is expected to lead to improved educational outcomes and job readiness among Colorado students, aligning higher education curricula more closely with workforce demands. As a component of improving educational equity, the bill specifies the need for disaggregated data on participation and outcomes to better understand the challenges faced by diverse students.
House Bill 1186 aims to expand work-based learning experiences for students enrolled in higher education through the creation of a pilot program in the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The bill underscores the importance of integrating real-world experiences with academic learning in addressing workforce needs in Colorado, which are projected to demand a high level of postsecondary education in the near future. The program seeks to facilitate partnerships between educational institutions and employers to provide students with valuable internship and work experience opportunities.
While bill proponents highlight the necessity of bridging the gap between education and employment to ensure economic viability, opponents may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of state funding and oversight in implementing the pilot program. The requirement for a consortium to operate effectively is contingent on securing necessary resources, which may pose challenges in its execution. Furthermore, there are concerns about how policy changes resulting from the pilot program may influence the autonomy of individual institutions and their ability to tailor programs to local contexts.