This story has been adapted from an Innosphere Ventures press release.
Colorado State University’s Systems Engineering department will play a key leadership role in a $1.4 million workforce project recently awarded to Fort Collins-based Innosphere Ventures through Opportunity Now Colorado, a regional workforce initiative.
Innosphere Ventures, a technology incubator leading the collaborative initiative called the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine (CO-WY Engine), has been selected as a Phase 2 grant recipient of Opportunity Now. Innosphere will be awarded the grant to work with Colorado State University and regional employers to address regional workforce gaps in systems engineering.
Thomas Bradley, Woodward professor and Systems department head in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, has launched courses and programs with industry partners to address these workforce development challenges. “CSU is very excited to be able to work with Innosphere Ventures to help connect Colorado’s workforce to training, new skills, and new jobs among our aerospace, energy and climate industry partners,” said Bradley. “We’re ready to cultivate a new generation of systems engineers equipped to meet the demands of our rapidly evolving climate technology sector and broader STEM fields.”
The funding is part of a total $2.4 million investment in the systems engineering workforce program, which aims to address critical workforce gaps and enhance economic mobility for participants working in the internship and apprenticeship program.
The goals of the CO-WY Engine, led by Innosphere Ventures, aligns with the mission of Opportunity Now Colorado, which seeks to foster innovative solutions for Colorado’s workforce needs through strategic partnerships between education systems and employers.
“The CO-WY Engine had identified systems engineering as a workforce gap area, and this funding will advance workforce development though internships and apprenticeships,” said Mike Freeman, CEO of the CO-WY Engine. “This funding will make it possible to address the critical shortage of systems engineers in our region.”
The National Science Board’s 2024 report underscores the importance of expanding the STEM workforce to sustain innovation and competitiveness. “This program directly responds to challenges highlighted in this report by focusing on the development of systems engineers, a critical component in the interdisciplinary field of climate technology and sustainability,” said Freeman.
This program focuses on the cleantech and aerospace industries who report a significant lack of available workforce and expertise in systems engineering, and has two focus areas. The first focuses on employing students with high school degrees, and those entering the community college system, with work-based learning opportunities who have an interest in systems engineering through both summer and year-round internships. The second is to launch an apprenticeship program for individuals already working in industry, who with additional support, can move toward a career path in systems engineering.
For more information on the CO-WY Engine and its initiatives, visit www.co-wyengine.org
About Opportunity Now
Opportunity Now is an $85 million grant program catalyzing transformative change for Colorado’s workforce. Opportunity Now Colorado recently concluded its second phase of funding, awarding approximately $55.5 million in grants to 43 total grant recipients across various sectors. Enacted by HB22-1350, the program seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorado’s workforce needs through industry and education collaboration.
About Innosphere Ventures
Innosphere Ventures accelerates the success of founders and university researchers who are launching and scaling science and technology-based startup companies with regional, industry-specific incubation programs, office and specialized wet laboratory facilities, and venture capital funds. Innosphere is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to grow the region’s innovation ecosystem and to support the commercialization efforts of startup companies in advanced industries. As the lead applicant of the NSF Engines proposal, Innosphere will spearhead the initiatives of the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine.
