About

Colorado BETR Project 

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Gary A. Scofield - CO BETR Project Coordinator

633 17th Street, Suite 700

Denver, Colorado 80202

Office - 303-318-8937

Fax - 303-318-8930

Gary.Scofield@state.co.us 

 

The Colorado Business and Education Talent Readiness (BETR) Project Mission:

The Colorado BETR Project a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, Math) Business and Education collaboration effort created to facilitate the promotion of STEM education and practices into meeting our need for homegrown applicants to workforce careers.   

www.BETR Project.org is also a 21st Century communications channel whose primary objective is to supply digital solutions for both Education and Business needs using interactive STEM programs and tools.   This effort’s hope is to “BETR” reach today’s two digital generations populations with a 21st Century direction to evolve the interests of both industries’ through curriculum, STEM lesson plan repository, professional development, virtual reality tours, business research presentations and mentorships to profit of our teachers, students, and parents .  STEM career pathways are and will provide the quality opportunities needed for all Coloradoans who have the educational and school career skills to do these 21st Century jobs.

 

The Colorado BETR Project is a multi-fold and deeply cooperative project with active support from Education, Businesses, Government, Professional Associations, groups and individuals to develop our workforce’s training and education. 

 Development of the Colorado BETR Project’s collaborative efforts in our first year has created the first of our STEM tools: “Tuesday Tours”, “ReelBiz - Virtual Business Tours”, “Prep Videos” and “STEM Works” mentoring system with progress towards implementation in all Workforce Regions of the State. Colorado School Districts, The Colorado STEM Network, Post Secondary Institutions, businesses & companies from all over Colorado, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development entities, Boy Scouts of America, Head Start programs, Action 22, County Workforce Investment Boards, Rural Colorado Workforce Centers, local government agencies, Students, Teachers and Parents, and Other Regional and Community Resources, all have agreed to participate in making “Colorado BETR”.

EXPANSIONS within the STATE- 2009

  • Pikes Peak Region
  • Upper Arkansas Valley Region
  • Southeast
  • Eastern Colorado
  • Pueblo
  • Larimer County Region
  • Workforce Boulder
  • Tri-County: Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson
  • Denver County
  • Araphoe/Douglas Works
  • Weld Employment Services
  • Northwestern Region
  • Southwest
  • Rural Resort
  • South Central

January 23, 2009 - BETR officially became part of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

This moved a regional initiative into the "Colorado BETR Project" and actively developed cooperative  arrangements with businesses and education in all counties of Colorado. The importance and understanding of STEM in training and as a vocation has interests in economic development for all. The Colorado BETR Project charge still is to effect positive change via alliances and actions with both busineeses and all educational systems.

 

 

BETR Project in the News - Press Room

2008 Winner of the

Excellence in Local Industry Award

THE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD

Presented to The BETR Project (October 2008)  in recognition of exceptional service and support in regard to community infrastructure, workforce, etc.

 

Award Statement

The Business and Education Talent Readiness Project (BETR) is a consortium of Colorado Workforce Centers, educational institutions, private businesses, professional organizations, faith-based and community organizations that coordinate services via the STEM Centers of Excellence. BETR's goal is to engage individuals and provide educational and training opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ( STEM) related careers. At the same time, BETR enhances the ability of local businessess to fill job opportunities within their own communities.

 

BETR uses 21st century methods to promote 21st century work readiness through state of the art web-based resources including virtual collaboration, assessments, training, relevant corporate videos and podcasts. All pre-K-20 teachers, parents of students, disadvantaged youth, dislocated workers, and veterans preparing for entrance into the workforce, as well as employers, experience benefit. Job training and related activities will serve individuals age 16 and older. In turn, pre-K-12 is encouraged to align their educational requirements and outputs with post-secondary and workplace expectations for STEM competencies. Post Secondary education is inspired to develop short-term STEM related certificate courses. By creating the network of communication, the objective is to build skilled STEM workers ready and able to produce in a "knowledge economy."

Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation

 

Is our future workforce prepared?