When federal stimulus funds made their way to Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC), they weren't treated as a temporary fix. Instead, PSCDC leveraged them—first through a $100,000 grant from the Reskilling Upskilling and Next-skilling program, followed by nearly $340,000 in total from the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium (WCRA) Workforce Innovation Grants—to build a permanent, thriving bridge between local youth, job seekers, and the employers who need them most. The initial $100,000 grant in 2022 was the seed funding that was later expanded with WIOA dollars.
The results speak for themselves: 141 individuals served, over 100 percent of their goal, and an entire community energized by new opportunities, from fiber optics to affordable housing.
The Spark: Giving Youth a Summer with Purpose
Before the grant, summer meant limited options for many high school students. PSCDC, in collaboration with the local high school and its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, used the initial funding, established via stimulus grants to keep young people engaged and productive, to establish a structured work-based learning program, connecting students with paid internships in fields like architecture, culinary, and welding.
"Historically, kids do not have anything to do during the summer," explains PSCDC Executive Director Emily Lashbrooke. "We used the funds to develop a program that would reimburse employers for student work-based learning experiences connecting students and employers."
The program's philosophy was simple and profound: exploration is priceless.
"Our focus is entirely on the job—be it welding, culinary, or any other field our industry partners provide. We offer youth work-based learning and exploration opportunities, giving them a chance to try it out. This allows them to see if they genuinely like the work, and we reimburse the employers for their participation."
This approach quickly became a phenomenon. In two years, the program served 141 students, representing nearly a quarter of the entire high school population. The program successfully served 55 students in one summer. PSCDC expanded the initial scope, even arranging a placement for a student who had a passion and interest in working with yarn.
This success has led to program expansion, including a new two-hour job shadow program for eighth graders and an internship partnership with Wolf Creek Ski Area for weekend work for high schoolers 16 and older.
The focus on involving all stakeholders is key.
"The greatest success can be seen in this level of partnership. We have an agreement and the expectations of each role. Everyone understands and signs the agreement: Mom and Dad support their child, ask about transportation, and help reinforce workforce behaviors,” Lashbrooke says.
This is reinforced by initial meetings held with parents, students, and industry partners to establish clear expectations. This process also helped refine placements, like one where a student was unable to work at a farm due to weight lifting requirements, leading to better vetting processes for future placements. The program also helped one student realize she didn't enjoy customer service due to her introverted nature.
From Curiosity to a $90K Career
The program didn't just find jobs; it kick-started careers. This impact is clearest in the stories of the "COVID Graduates"—young adults up to age 24 who missed crucial career exploration opportunities during the pandemic. The program successfully identified and helped several 20-year-old COVID graduates find employment, with some students still working at their internships today.
One of these graduates was curious about auto mechanics. PSCDC connected him to a local CT’s Automotive program and arranged a paid 120-hour industry placement.
"We asked the industry provider to try them out for 120 hours," Emily recalls. "After the experience, the student has continued to seek out additional education to stay in his job at CT’s. Today, he is a thriving adult."
But the most dramatic success story emerged from the program’s "Big Pivot" program into Broadband. Another young man, enrolled in the COVID graduate group, was connected to a contractor installing fiber optics.
"We were asked by our industry partner to teach about broadband and fiber... because they needed skilled labor," Lashbrooke recounts.
The commitment paid off fast.
"Within nine months, the student was splicing glass fiber and making $90,000 a year. We just sold him a house from our housing project."
This one individual’s story perfectly encapsulates the power of the program: an investment in skills leading to high wages, community employment, and the ability to buy an affordable home built by PSCDC itself.
The Partner Perspective: Public Works and a Pipeline of Talent
Employer enthusiasm was a cornerstone of the Work-based Learning program's success. The funding allowed businesses to treat the students not just as temporary staff, but as true mentees.
"The instructor or supervisor at the business was able to invest more time, quality skills, and focus on the WBL (work-based learning)," Emily notes. "The student wasn't filling a role as a staff member; they really were able to focus on on-the-job training."
A standout partner was the Pagosa Springs Public Works Department. They took a chance on a 16-year-old student who had requested the placement on a whim. The initial task was mundane: digitally cataloging 15 years of paper records—a job the student finished in just two weeks. Then, disaster struck: a major water line break. The Public Works Director didn't send the student home; he brought him along for the rest of the summer.
"The Director took the student with him for the rest of the summer and was able to see all of the daily work," Emily says. The student’s father later called PSCDC, saying, 'This was the most valuable experience my kid could have.'"
The partnership with the local medical facility was equally transformative, hosting eight students over two years in a rigorous, multi-department rotation over three weeks. All eight students are now in the medical field today. The program has also connected CTE students with Habitat for Humanity for paid work experience, with some students discovering their interest in construction through these opportunities. Furthermore, a student with cochlear implants secured an internship at Bootjack Ranch, where the student with a hearing disability excelled and gained confidence, leading to potential return opportunities.
The "Big Pivot" Impact: Building the Digital Future and More
The final stimulus boost—an extra $66,000—was dedicated to a fast-track Broadband initiative. PSCDC partnered with the Broadband Office and a consortium of stakeholders to create a "Broadband 101" class, specifically targeting the need for skilled labor in the region, including tribal members. The Broadband 101 training initiative, combined classroom training with on-the-job experience, and was funded through a combination of grants, employer reimbursements, and participant fees, including that final $66,000 boost received via the Workforce Colorado Rural Alliance.
The outcome: 38 individuals upskilled, with 36 achieving certification.
"I know of at least 12 students who are now employed in fiber deployment because of the training," Lashbrooke states. This means a future where Southwestern Colorado has the skilled local workforce needed to complete and maintain its fiber-optic backbone, fueling economic growth for decades.
This success led to the formation of a formal Sector Partnership for Broadband. This structure ensures that in five years, industry partners will continue to meet, define their skills needs, and work directly with training providers, creating a permanent, agile workforce development ecosystem for the digital age.
Beyond broadband, the expansion of the internship program was complemented by workforce training. PSCDC conducted four CDL training classes over two years, helping 20 participants obtain their licenses, with WIOA funding covering costs for some participants.
The "Aha!" Moment: The Power of Collaboration
The success of the work-based learning program, which has become a model for other communities, is anchored in a simple but powerful agreement. The group agreed on the importance of collaborative agreements and clear expectations between students, employers, and all stakeholders.
This focus on a three-way partnership—student, parent, and employer—was the unexpected key to high engagement and successful outcomes, demonstrating that workforce development is truly a whole-community endeavor.
PSCDC is most proud of the culture they’ve created: "It’s been a hugely rewarding program... to hear from employers that it was successful and want to do it again. The feeling is one of excitement and hope, seeing kids make informed career decisions and thrive right here at home," Lashbrooke says.