About the Episode
About the Episode:
In this episode, Dustin is joined by Tara Gilboa, a former educator and current Executive Director of Colorado's Tech Talent Partnership. Together, they explore the growing need for local workforce development, particularly in tech and cybersecurity, and how Colorado is addressing this challenge with innovative pathways for students. Tara shares insights on the importance of collaboration between educators, employers, and learners, and how this approach can make education more equitable and aligned with real-world job demands.
Key Takeaways
- Tara's work focuses on creating clear and accessible pathways between education and employment, especially in tech fields like cybersecurity and IT.
- Colorado's local approach to workforce development demonstrates the value of collaboration between employers, educators, and communities.
- The importance of work-based learning, apprenticeships, and aligning educational programs with real job opportunities to empower students and improve economic outcomes.
Episode Summary
How Tara Gilboa is Shaping the Colorado Workforce
Tara Gilboa, with her background in K-12 and higher education, now leads the Tech Talent Partnership in Colorado. She highlights her transition from classroom teaching to working with Noodle Partners, a leading EdTech startup. Her current focus is on building local talent pipelines, specifically in the growing fields of cybersecurity and IT. Colorado’s strong community pride and interconnectedness have provided Tara the foundation to align local educational initiatives with job market demands.
This local focus is key to Tara’s work. While many professionals in education speak from a 30,000-foot view on national or international stages, Tara is on the ground working directly in her community. She believes that local projects allow for a more direct, immediate impact on students and professionals. Through initiatives like the Opportunity Now grant and partnerships with local school districts and community colleges, Tara’s efforts create pathways that can be scaled nationally while remaining firmly rooted in the needs of Colorado’s workforce.
What Makes Local Workforce Initiatives So Important?
Tara’s work emphasizes the importance of collaboration between local employers and educators to better prepare students for the workforce. While many workforce programs focus on theoretical or long-term goals, her work is centered on real, tangible outcomes. For example, Tara discusses how her partnership with educational leaders and businesses is creating a more seamless transition from school to work by focusing on work-based learning opportunities.
This model benefits both students and employers. Students gain hands-on experience, and employers receive trained, job-ready individuals. By focusing on real-world application and aligning learning outcomes with job market demands, Tara’s work aims to break down the disconnect between education and employment. She hopes this approach will address some of the long-standing gaps in workforce development.
The Future of Pathways: More Than Just Programs
One of the biggest challenges Tara addresses is the need for clear, navigable pathways from education to employment. In her work, she focuses on creating systems that integrate work-based learning, certifications, and real-world skills into the educational experience. Tara stresses that these pathways are not just about offering degrees but about ensuring students are prepared for actual jobs in their chosen fields.
Tara envisions a future where the education system is tightly aligned with the needs of employers, and learners have a clear understanding of the steps needed to secure a fulfilling career. Whether it's through apprenticeships, certifications, or traditional degree programs, Tara's focus is on ensuring these pathways lead to actual jobs with committed employers. As she puts it, the pathways aren’t just theoretical—they are practical, actionable steps that ensure success for students and the companies that hire them.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
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