Discount Tire and the Cherry Creek School District are announcing a new initiative to provide students with hands-on learning and training in in-demand career pathways that will support the future workforce needs of the greater Colorado community. Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), a nationally-recognized, stand-alone college and career preparedness facility for high school students in the Cherry Creek School District will expand its automotive technology pathway program for students with Discount Tire’s assistance and add new facilities and technology at the Centennial, CO., campus.
Through ongoing collaboration, CCIC and Discount Tire will work together to develop a strong, career-connected pipeline that includes guest speaking, career exploration opportunities, internships, part-time roles, and entry-level employment.
“This initiative represents exactly the kind of collaboration we strive for—where industry and education come together to create meaningful, career-connected learning experiences for students,” said Steve Day, CCIC principal. “By aligning our programming with real workforce needs, we are creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.”
Train on Tools and Technology
Discount Tire is integrating tire changers, tire balancers, and a full alignment rack into CCIC’s automotive bay, allowing students to train on the same tools and technology used in the more than 50 Discount Tire stores serving drivers across Colorado. Expert local Discount Tire technicians will also spend time onsite with students.
“Our support of Cherry Creek Innovation Campus reflects our commitment to empowering young people to help make their dreams come true,” said Nick Yurkovich, Regional Vice President at Discount Tire. “The team at CCIC are excellent at showing the strength and long-term career opportunities offered by industries meaningful to the success of our community.”
CCIC will incorporate elements of Discount Tire’s team member training program around tire-changing, which emphasizes safety and efficiency exceeding instructional and industry benchmarks, into CCIC’s automotive program. Discount Tire and CCIC first started collaborating in the 1990s with dozens of students having gone on to attain full-time and part-time jobs at Discount Tire stores in the Denver metro area.
“The technical and customer service skills students learn at Discount Tire are cutting-edge and serve our students well across any industry,” said Brian Manley, Pathway Lead Teacher for Automotive Technology at CCIC.
Through this joining of forces, Cherry Creek School District continues to strengthen its commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers by providing access to industry-grade equipment, aligned curriculum, and direct engagement with professionals in the field. Since opening in 2019, the CCIC has collaborated with dozens of industry leaders to bring real-world, career learning to the classroom. The CCIC is currently undergoing a major expansion, thanks to local community support, that will provide access to 70% more students and offer 24 in-demand and growing career pathways across nine programs.
About Cherry Creek School District
Cherry Creek School District serves more than 53,000 students and 300,000 residents across eight municipalities. It is the fourth largest school district in Colorado and the largest employer in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Cherry Creek achieves its mission “to inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care” through its five Core Values: Growth Mindset, Equity, Whole Wellbeing, Engagement and Relationships. Dedicated to Excellence has been a guiding principle of Cherry Creek’s for more than 75 years and continues to guide the district’s approach to ensuring a bright, fulfilling future for each and every student.
About Discount Tire
Discount Tire is a leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,250 stores in 40 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Treadwell, Discount Tire’s proprietary online tire recommendation tool, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver’s unique needs. Discount Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer. For more information, visit www.discounttire.com.
