Governor Polis visits Thompson Career Campus
Colorado Governor Jared Polis visited the Thompson Career Campus on Wednesday during a tour of northern Colorado.
The governor also visited the Governor’s Art Show, the site of the Larimer County behavioral health facility between Loveland and Fort Collins, and an innovation center at St. Vrain Valley Schools as part of a kickoff of Celebrate Colorado, a statewide celebration from May 6th – 8th.
During his visit, Polis spoke with students and staff members at the Career Campus, a facility that opened two years ago to provide career and technical training to Thompson students.
The school provides education in specific career pathways including health sciences, manufacturing, construction and information technology and cyber security.
The campus, which is connected to Ferguson High School, teaches students a variety of career-oriented skills ranging from building entire structures in construction classes to learning to insert an intravenous needle using a mannequin. Ferguson also has its own coffee shop and snack bar, run by students, that served Polis a smoothie during his visit.
Many students receive apprenticeships, internships and parttime jobs in their chosen fields, in part due to the school’s connections with employers in various industries.
“Anytime we have an opportunity to show off the great work that’s happening in this building, it’s just an amazing opportunity,” Ferguson High School Principal Jason Germain said. “I’m hopeful that he was impressed by our students and our staff, and everything that this building offers kids.”
The visit was one of several that the governor made Wednesday along with Colorado Treasurer Dave Young and local officials such as Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens, all intended to recognize “transformative behavioral support, workforce development programs, and innovative education programs” according to Polis’ office.
Germain said that his hope is that Polis’ visit will help raise the possibility of greater support for programs like the ones offered by the Career Campus.
“I hope that this visit inspires action in continuing to provide funding and support for great initiatives that do great things for students,” he said.