Colorado - Meet Dianna

Workforce Challenge

Workforce Success Story Submitted By: Employment Services of Weld County

In February 2020, Dianna was advised by her high school counselor that she should meet with a Youth Programs Case Manager at Employment Services of Weld County. She was starting to get behind in the alternative school she was attending, and she had no plans after high school for employment or education. Dianna needed direction, and she needed it quick. Dianna ended up meeting with her case manager who helped her with an exploration of career pathways and employment opportunities. Dianna was going through a difficult time in life as her parents had recently shared that they were separating. They were already low-income, and now the income would be split between two homes. Dianna felt a training program was too much for her to commit to and too much of a burden to ask from her parents.

Workforce Solution

Through interest assessments and research of current labor market information, Dianna decided she would like to become a Dental Assistant and the training program duration fit her schedule, as it is short-term. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program was able to support Dianna in attending the Academy of Dental Assisting Careers to obtain the certificate that she needed to further her career.

Outcomes & Benefits

Once Dianna’s direction was planned, she was motivated to graduate high school and begin her career. She graduated high school in June 2020. Not even the barriers of COVID could hold her back. Dianna successfully obtained her Dental Assisting Certificate in July 2020 and started an internship at a local pediatric dental office. That office since hired her full-time, and she is still employed there today!

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