Trinidad High School, BOCES Join Constructing Colorado Futures Workforce Program

Trinidad High School joined South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and other regional education partners in the Constructing Colorado Futures program, a workforce initiative aimed at placing Las Animas County students directly into the construction trades with industry-recognized credentials before they collect their diplomas.

South Central BOCES is a collaborative serving 12 member school districts spanning a vast 10,000-square-mile region in rural Southern Colorado, and the construction trades push reflects both a regional priority and a statewide crisis in the labor market. Colorado alone carries over 2,766 construction job postings, 51 percent above the national average, and the state expects to need 40,000 new construction workers by 2027, with particular demand for electricians and plumbers.

The program's structure gives students a targeted path through specific trade areas rather than a general survey of the building industry. Each hub specializes in a specific area of the construction trades, including framing, plumbing, and electrical work. Students select their area of interest and begin coursework and requirements for certification, and because some programs require long internships or apprenticeships to receive licensure, students are supported after high school graduation by industry partners providing those opportunities.

The project aims to ensure that every student selecting the construction and advanced manufacturing pathway will graduate with a certification, job experience, and opportunities to move into the workforce or continue their education after high school.

Key industry partners include Careers in Construction Colorado, a nonprofit that brings construction-based vocational education into high schools statewide, and Nunn Construction of Colorado. Careers in Construction Colorado's role is to partner with SC BOCES districts to expand current construction offerings and develop regional hubs with high-quality curriculum, instruction, and certification pathways. Nunn Construction provides work-based learning opportunities including mentorship, job shadows, internships, and apprenticeships across the region.

SC BOCES serves 12 rural school districts across six counties in south-central Colorado and provides robust support to nearly 4,000 students in areas including career and technical education and workforce development. Trinidad High School's participation extends that reach directly into Las Animas County, giving Miners access to trade certifications that have historically required students to travel far outside the region or wait until after graduation.

Students in the construction hub program receive hands-on instruction in carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing while earning industry-recognized credentials that employers actively seek. Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters often earn strong wages, frequently without the student loan debt associated with four-year college degrees, making the program a direct-entry alternative for students ready to build careers the moment they leave school.