Aspen Peaks was awarded a $282,277 APEX Center Planning Grant in July to explore new career pathways for students. The funding allows the district to research community workforce needs and evaluate existing programs to determine which pathways will most benefit students and meet changing workforce demands.
The APEX Grant Program is designed to assist Utah school districts and local education agencies in creating or expanding profession-based learning centers. These centers aim to connect classroom education with real-world experiences and workforce needs. The state prioritizes programs informed by labor-market data, developed alongside industry and postsecondary partners, and designed to avoid duplicating existing resources.
Ryan Nield, the director of CTE for Aspen Peaks, stated that the grant provides an opportunity to make informed decisions before implementation. Nield noted that the planning year allows the district to investigate what is sustainable, economical, and required by industry, as well as where services may already be available through partners like MTECH and UVU.
As the district evaluates which of its more than 32 CTE pathways to preserve, expand, or create, Nield identified three potential models. These include a CAPS-style approach involving direct work with industry partners, a magnet-school model with specialized programs at specific schools, or a centralized APEX Center where students from multiple schools access pathways like construction, engineering, or transportation.
The district's research aims to create sustainable pathways that prepare students for evolving future opportunities. Nield emphasized that the goal is to create pathways that can adapt as the workforce evolves, noting that CTE focuses on the practical application of academic concepts in real-world industries.
