Light Up Your Future

Organization: Council for Adult and Experiential Learning

Grant Round: Jumpstart

Program’s Objectives: Light Up Your Future is a high-quality energy-focused online education program for high schools. The program is designed to encourage exploration into energy career opportunities, expose students to learning online, excite students about math and technology using real-world application from the industry, and connect students to energy-related college programs and high potential energy career opportunities. The overall goal is to create a pipeline of individuals entering careers at local energy companies to assist energy employers in addressing the critical workforce shortages. 

Individuals Served: CAEL and its partners have increased awareness of energy industry career opportunities among Denver area high school students, educators, and parents, reaching a total of 499 individuals. The program engaged 60 high school students in 21st century learning skills through quality online learning that combines career awareness and math concepts applied in real-world electrical power industry assignments. In addition, 22 students participated in a job shadow/internship summer program with a local energy company.

Success Story: "I took the online Mathematics of Electricity course in high school.  Now that I am in college, I am seeing a lot of connections from the class, to the courses I am taking now. The course made me understand all about electricity and how important it is in the world. I'm interested in electricity industry career."
-- A quote from a female student who completed the online Virtual High School Mathematics of Electricity course during her fall semester of her senior year

Quote: “I believe the online learning program has been very beneficial for our high school because we have the opportunity for students to take classes that are not offered in our school district and the students really enjoy them.”
-- Joan Root, a high school partner and Director of Career and Technical Education, Brighton County School District

Collaborators: Xcel Energy and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 111 (IBEW 111), United Power, Denver Public Schools, Adams County School District, Brighton County School District, Jefferson County School District, Virtual High School, Bismarck State College, Goodwill Industries, Denver Office of Economic Development/Division of Workforce Development.