GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Mesa University Tech (CMU Tech) has welcomed RK Steel, LLC as a new education-to-workforce pipeline partner, strengthening connections between career-focused education and Colorado workforce needs.
The partnership brings together CMU Tech’s hands-on technical education, specifically in the welding industry, and RK Steel, LLC’s industry expertise to create opportunities for CMU Tech welding students to network with, intern for and work for RK Steel, LLC.
The workforce development partnership between RK Steel, LLC and CMU Tech will work towards objectives like developing a sustainable pipeline of skilled welding talent, aligned educational experiences with current industry needs while still maintaining CMU Tech’s core technical curriculum and increased graduate retention that results in better career preparation and employer engagement.
“RK Steel, LLC is proud to be among the first employers in their field to invest in partnerships with institutions such as CMU Tech,” said RK Steel, LLC Director of Manufacturing Shane Barber. "Many employers struggle to find entry-level welders with the necessary skills to join the workforce. Together, RK Steel LLC and CMU Tech will develop a customized Direct to Industry (D2i) curriculum aligned with RK Steel, LLC’s workforce needs to invest in students before they graduate.”
RK Steel, LLC is a Colorado-based company with a long history of serving the region and employing skilled professionals. Its partnership with CMU Tech represents an investment in developing the next generation of workers while helping strengthen the local economy.
With the partnership established, RK Steel, LLC will be integrated into the CMU Tech Advisory Board, will collaborate with CMU Tech on sharing hiring forecasts and workforce demand and will provide curriculum alignment support that will ensure CMU Tech welding students are learning the tools and techniques that will transfer into RK Steel, LLC facilities.
For students, these connections between higher education and industry create opportunities. They provide a clearer path from the classroom to a career, and at CMU Tech, it remains an affordable option. For RK Steel, LLC and employers, partnerships like this one help build a stronger pipeline of qualified candidates, especially during a time when the demand for skilled trades positions is high but the interest or pursuit of such is not.
“Partnerships within the industry are essential to what we do at CMU Tech,” said CMU Vice President of CMU Tech Brigitte Sundermann. “When employers help us understand what they need from the next generation of workers, we can better prepare our students for meaningful and transferable careers. We are excited to partner with RK Steel because they bring valuable industry perspectives and opportunities for our students as they prepare to enter the workforce.”
"I am excited to see more companies like RK Steel come forward to partner with CMU and CMU Tech. It signifies to me that we are doing the right thing in preparing students for their futures," said CMU President John Marshall.
The partnership reflects CMU Tech’s broader commitment to working alongside regional employers to develop a workforce prepared to meet the evolving needs of Colorado’s economy.
About CMU Tech’s Welding Technology Program
All welding courses at CMU Tech are modeled after the American Welding Society’s criteria for training entry-level welders. This ensures that graduates leave with the skills and knowledge used by manufacturers nationwide and that students are prepared for entry-level employment.
About RK Steel, LLC
RK Steel, LLC is the Mountain West region’s premier shop for steel fabrication and installation and custom, integrated metal solutions. They deliver everything from structural steel and miscellaneous metals to complex, prefabricated multi-trade assemblies. Their clean, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art facilities in Henderson and Denver, Colorado feature advanced CNC equipment and certified welders. As an AISC, ASME and ISO 9001:2015 certified fabricator and erector, they bring precision, safety and quality to every project. Backed by RK Industries, they integrate mechanical, electrical and steel expertise to reduce risk, control costs and deliver dependable, turnkey results on projects of any size or complexity.