Sector Connector Network Group is a monthly online convening for adult education providers, workforce partners, and employers to strengthen sector partnerships and align education-to-employment pathways across Colorado.
Participants collaborate to share practices and coordinate strategies that support adult learners moving into training, college, apprenticeships, and employment.
The group meets online the third Friday of each month from 10:00–11:00 a.m. to share updates, build connections, and strengthen workforce-aligned adult education across Colorado.
Topics may include:
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Industry-aligned instruction (foundational, digital, communication, and AI skills)
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Contextualized learning and career-focused curriculum
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Assessment and individualized learning plans
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Career navigation and transition support to training, college, apprenticeships, and jobs
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Work-based learning opportunities
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Coordinated support services for adult learners
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Employer engagement and sector partnerships
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Leadership skill development
The program is intended solely for professional development and collaborative learning and does not provide occupational training, licensure, or academic credit. It is offered by the Colorado Adult Education Coalition (CAEC) to strengthen partnerships, improve workforce alignment, and advance adult education throughout Colorado.
An aging workforce is increasing retirements across healthcare, construction, utilities, and manufacturing.
Many communities struggle to recruit workers because of housing shortages, transportation barriers, and limited access to training.
Adult learners often need foundational education, digital literacy, English language instruction, or a high school equivalency before entering career pathways.
77% of Colorado's Top Jobs require a postsecondary credential or training.
July 17, 2026
Speaker: Carol Gurule - Juntos 4-H Youth Specialist, CSU - San Luis Valley Area Extension
Topic: Building trust and supporting multilingual families to increase retention.
August 21, 2026
Speaker: Betsy Winchester- Literacy Coalition of Colorado
Topic: Foundational Literacy: The Missing Piece in Colorado's Adult Education Landscape
September 18, 2026
Speaker: Vi Hawes, M.Ed.- Ed Tech Specialist
Topic: Beyond Cheating: Teaching AI Literacy
October 23, 2026
Speaker: Vi Hawes, M.Ed.- Ed Tech Specialist
Topic: Beyond Cheating: Teaching AI Literacy
November 20, 2026
Speaker: Vi Hawes, M.Ed.- Ed Tech Specialist
Topic: Beyond Cheating: Teaching AI Literacy
December
Happy Holidays!
Meeting Schedule
Aboout the Presenter
Betsy has been involved in adult foundational education in Colorado for over fifteen years, and completed an MA in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education in 2022. She has volunteered or worked as a tutor, teacher, citizenship education program coordinator, and board member. Currently she teaches refugees at Jeffco Adult English Program, where she is able to combine two of her favorite categories of instruction: English as Second/Additional Language and Basic Literacy.
She is fascinated by language acquisition, and embraces comprehensible input-based teaching as the best approach to engage learners and lead them to acquire and retain language. Betsy also facilitates a weekly English conversation group and serves on the board of Literacy Coalition of Colorado (LCC), a non-profit which aims to connect and support adult education providers with training, networking, information, and advocacy. She has been on the board of LCC since 2021 and has served as Board Chair since 2023.
About the Presenter
Vi Hawes brings nearly a decade of experience in educational technology and adult learning, helping educators integrate innovative teaching practices and emerging technologies into their classrooms. As an Educational Technology Consultant and former Educational Technology Specialist at Pima Community College, she has supported faculty in designing engaging, accessible, and effective learning experiences for adult learners.
Her expertise includes digital literacy, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), adult learning theory, HyFlex instruction, online learning, and instructional technology. Vi is passionate about helping educators confidently adopt AI and other emerging technologies to enhance teaching while ensuring learning remains ethical, inclusive, and learner-centered.
During this Sector Connector Series, Vi will share practical, classroom-ready strategies that help adult educators build AI literacy, empower learners to use artificial intelligence responsibly, and prepare students for success in an increasingly technology-driven world.
