What career pathway would you choose?

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!

Sustainable Food #1

Description of the pathway:

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.

Industry Outlook:

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. 

Schooling:

This pathway is in line with Agriculture and the knowledge gained can be used for many aspects of farming and science.

  • CEC Sustainable food pathway
  • Urban Agriculture Management Certificate: Front Range CC
  • Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural studies: Colorado State U.

College Credit Potential:

  • To be determined with Front Range CC

Industry Certification:

  •  Still to be determined

Salary Outlook:

Soil and Plant Scientists:
Entry level – $35,220, Median wage – $56,870
Ranchers and Agricultural Managers:
Entry level – $35,090, Median wage – $68,090

Partnerships:

  • Harvest Today
  • Metro Caring
  • CEC’s Culinary Program

Internships:

  • Metro Caring
    • Hydroponic growing

Sustainable Energy #2

Description of pathway:

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.

Industry outlook:

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.

Schooling Pathway:

  • CEC’s Sustainable energy pathway
  • Associate’s degree in Renewable Energy: Northeast Junior College or Red Rocks CC
  • Engineering degree: University of Colorado Boulder in sustainable design

College Credit Potential:

  • CPASS (Consortium of Agricultural Partners)

Industry Certification Potential:

  • AWEA (American Wind Energy Association)
  • NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)

Salary Outlook:

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  

Partnerships:

  • Namaste Solar
  • Alan Tennery – University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Environmental Energy.

Internships/Apprenticeships:

  • Namaste Solar

Cyber Security #3

Description of Pathway:

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.

Industry Outlook:

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. 

Schooling Pathway:

  • CEC’s Tech connect pathway
  • Cyber Security Associate’s Degree: Front Range Community College
  • Bachelors in Computer Information Systems: University of Denver 
  • Bachelors in Criminal Justice Cybercrime and Security: Colorado Technical University

College Credit Potential:

  • CIS courses with Front Range CC

Industry Certification Potential:

  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Security + -CompTIA Security

Salary Outlook:

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

Partnerships:

  • TBD

Internships/Apprenticeships:

  • TBD