One Maverick is strengthening the workforce development in Mesa County
As a young adult, Curtis Englehart’s love was found on the field. Born and raised in Delta, Colorado, he headed off to join a baseball team at a junior college. A couple phone calls and some paperwork later and Englehart had made the decision to transfer schools and play for the Mavericks. That choice led to a life full of service, purpose and a new found passion.
Englehart’s move was athletically driven, so when he wasn’t playing baseball, he was studying sports management. Yet, somewhere along the way, after working closely with his professors and campus community, he started prioritizing his education.
“I originally went to CMU to play baseball and came out with an incredible learning experience,” said Englehart. “Looking back, I got such an incredible education and I’m so thankful to CMU for preparing me for the career I am in today.”
Englehart jokes that his passion for employment found him. Five years after graduation, he started working on the front lines of the Mesa County Workforce Center, helping employers address their hiring needs while simultaneously working with job seekers to connect them not just to a job but a career.
“I came to the Workforce Center and met with an employment specialist about other job opportunities,” said Englehart who ended up landing a position with the team. “So I’m actually a product of the Workforce Center and the programs we offer here.”
Eventually, Englehart worked his way up to the director of the Mesa County Workforce Center, where he oversees numerous programs in both human services and the Department of Labor and Employment.
“It’s been very fulfilling and also very challenging,” he said. “We take a common-sense approach. We translate programs so they make sense for our community. We’re also nimble enough to adapt when we need to.”
According to Englehart, the partnership between MCWFC, Western Colorado Community College and Colorado Mesa University is integral to the work they’re doing around ensuring that employers have qualified talent applying for their jobs and that job seekers are prepared and have the opportunity to enter into a lifelong career.
“Both WCCC and CMU are instrumental in workforce development because they’re able to provide that training for that career, whether that’s through short term certification, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and on up,” Englehart added.
In addition to the work that’s been done up to this point, Englehart applauds CMU/WCCC for the recent announcement around the Learn for Less initiative, which cuts tuition by nearly 40% for career and technical education courses.
“The Learn for Less initiative is a huge win for our job seekers as well as our businesses,” said Englehart. “This will allow for easy access and affordability to cutting edge training that WCCC provides. What a great way to continue to grow our skilled workforce in Mesa County!”
Englehart’s commitment to his community makes him a truly outstanding Maverick. It's people like Englehart who, when they find their purpose, improve the world around them.