Instructor shortage at trade schools has Colorado looking to lure workers, retirees to the classroom

When Emily Griffith Technical College had an opening for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning instructor last winter, the school posted the job on LinkedIn, emailed relevant advisory committees, advertised on trade association websites, notified graduates and reached out to HVAC specialists in the community.

The position sat vacant for six months. The students at the Denver college who were waiting to learn the popular trade saw their program paused, stalling their education.

“Whenever you have a vacancy for an instructor position, it’s really hard to find candidates,” said Gideon Geisel, Emily Griffith’s dean of trades, business and technology. “You turn over every possible stone you can think of, and usually it takes a really long time — and that, ultimately, does impact student