PSD Opens $2 Million Advanced Manufacturing Lab at Career Tech Center
Poudre School District unveiled its new $2 million advanced manufacturing laboratory at the Career Tech Center September 23, providing students hands-on training with industry-grade equipment and direct pathways to high-paying manufacturing careers in Northern Colorado.
The Bohemian Foundation and Larimer County each contributed $2 million toward the facility, which also features equipment donated by local manufacturing companies. The investment demonstrates unprecedented regional collaboration, with Thompson School District receiving matching $2 million funding for expanded work-based learning opportunities in Loveland.
"This new advanced Manufacturing lab is a game changer," Superintendent Brian Kingsley told the Board of Education. "It blurs the lines between industry, the workforce and our classrooms."
The lab opening aligns directly with the district's strategic priority ensuring all students graduate with options beyond a high school diploma. Students can now earn industry-recognized certifications including National Institute for Metalworking Skills credentials and OSHA safety certifications while completing their high school education.
Strong Regional Job Market Awaits Graduates
Advanced manufacturing careers in Larimer and Weld Counties offer starting salaries of $40,000 to $45,000, with median wages reaching $65,000 to $72,000, according to Colorado Department of Labor and Employment data. These positions significantly outpace entry-level retail and food service jobs, which average $30,000 to $36,000 annually.
The Colorado Talent Pipeline Report projects advanced manufacturing will grow 6-8% through 2030 in Northern Colorado, exceeding average job growth projections of 5% across all occupations. Local employers report 40-50% of advanced manufacturing positions remain difficult to fill due to skills gaps in technical training areas including robotics, CNC machining, and programmable logic controllers.
"When I think about innovative programming, when I think about what the future of high school looks like, this is it," board president Kristen Draper said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Addressing Critical Workforce Needs
The new facility directly addresses Northern Colorado's manufacturing workforce shortage while providing students immediate access to career opportunities requiring specialized technical skills. Manufacturing occupations consistently rank among the region's highest-paying options for high school graduates entering the workforce.
The collaboration model extends beyond Poudre School District, allowing Thompson School District students to access PSD's manufacturing lab while PSD students benefit from expanded programming in Loveland. This cross-district partnership maximizes resource utilization and provides students broader exposure to regional manufacturing opportunities.
Foundation's Ongoing Education Investment
The Bohemian Foundation has invested heavily in Northern Colorado workforce development over the past decade, including a record $20.1 million gift to Colorado State University in 2002-2003 and a $1 million donation toward CSU's Salazar Center for North American Conservation in 2018.
The foundation's contribution to the manufacturing lab continues its pattern of supporting education-to-career pipeline development throughout Larimer County. Its Give 10 program provides up to $10,000 in matching grants to encourage philanthropy among emerging local leaders, often supporting workforce readiness and educational advancement organizations.
Students interested in touring the advanced manufacturing lab can arrange visits through the Career Tech Center, where current students regularly provide demonstrations of the facility's capabilities and career pathway opportunities.
The manufacturing lab represents the newest addition to the district's expanding career and technical education offerings, providing students practical skills training that directly connects classroom learning to regional economic opportunities and high-demand careers in Northern Colorado's growing advanced manufacturing sector.