Rep. Hamrick Visits Technical College

AURORA, CO – Representative Eliza Hamrick today visited Pickens Technical College and The Excel Center to learn more about post-secondary education and workforce opportunities for Coloradans.

“I’d like to thank the folks hosting me at Pickens Technical College and The Excel Center – it was great to hear about their emerging programs to not only meet our workforce needs but make it easier for students to succeed in any career,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “Under the gold dome, we’ve worked hard to make it easier for Coloradans to find and take advantage of workforce opportunities, including the Care Forward program which has successfully boosted our health care workforce through zero-cost credentials.”  

Rep. Hamrick toured both Pickens Technical College and The Excel Center. Pickens offers 25 certificate programs, in everything from the skilled trades to healthcare, to adults and high school students as part of the Aurora Public Schools and the Colorado Community College System. The Excel Center makes it possible for adults to earn their high school diploma at no-cost. Both education centers are designed to improve access to skills training and make it possible for Coloradans to begin a career they love. 

During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Hamrick championed a number of bills designed to uplift education opportunities and local communities. This includes legislation to boost apprenticeship programs and expanding community-based behavioral health care grants.

Rep. Hamrick also supported multiple workforce bills, including new laws to expand concurrent enrollment, uplift careers in high-demand sectors such as construction and health care and a tax credit to make the first two-years of college free for low and middle-income students.