Posted September 21, 2021
We need your help to determine the next career pathway that will be offered to our students at CEC. Read the following descriptions and give your input about what you think would be best. Answer the Expansion Survey at the end. Your input is important to us!
The sustainable food pathway will investigate and teach a variety of tools and techniques for growing food indoors. When living in an urban environment, land for farming/gardening is sparse. This pathway explores ways to grow sustainable food in compact spaces. The pathway will explore plant chemistry, biology, and hydroponics as a way to grow high quality food without the need for land.
| Urban Farming is needed and as climate change occurs more and more, food will need to be grown in different ways. The need for different ways to grow food and the learning about landscaping, farming, and horticulture is a growing field. Percentage growth in these professions has not been determined yet. |
This pathway is in line with Agriculture and the knowledge gained can be used for many aspects of farming and science.
| Soil and Plant Scientists: Entry level – $35,220, Median wage – $56,870 | Ranchers and Agricultural Managers: Entry level – $35,090, Median wage – $68,090 |
Xcel Energy has a plan to be 100% carbon free electric by 2050. More electric cars are being produced than ever before. Use of alternative resources to fuel electricity. What this means is that sustainable energy sources such as sun (solar), wind (turbine), and water will be used to supply energy to a variety of customers. The need for technicians and creators in this field is crucial. In this sustainable energy pathway, students will learn about the variety of alternative fuels to be used instead of carbon fuels.
| Solar: Solar photovoltaic installer technicians have a job expected growth of 50.5% from 2019-2029.8 of 10 Solar installers are employed with contractors or heavy and civil engineering construction firms. The number of solar installation jobs are expected to grow 108.4% over the next 10 years. | Wind: The wind industry is growing and the demand for quality technicians is on the rise. In 2014, Colorado added over 400 wind turbines. The skills taught in the CEC Sustainable Energy Program aren’t just wind specific, they will easily apply to any industrial maintenance or electrical profession. Employment of wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, is projected to grow 96 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. |
| Wind: Wind technicians, on average, start at $21.11 an hour. The entry level salary is $43,900 in Colorado with a median wage of $61,110. | Solar: Solar panel technicians, on average, start at $22 an hour. The entry level salary is $47,060 in Colorado with a median wage of $72,150 |
Cyber Security is the practice of protecting systems, networks and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing , or destroying sensitive information. The CEC Cyber Security pathway will aim to instruct students on how to protect systems, and obtain the entry level education to access this ever growing field.
| The tech industry is a rapidly growing industry with many options for career entry. As the field grows, so does the demand for cyber security experts. Some of the options for careers are Digital Forensic Analysts and Penetration testers to name a few. The cybersecurity field is projected to grow 31% through the year 2029. |
| Security + certification – Range $45,000 – $100,000 | Forensic Analyst and Penetration testers have similar salary ranges: Entry Level salary starts at $45,000 and median salary is $90,000 |
