Colorado Trade School Expands Opportunities for Female Students

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus is opening new pathways in aviation, automotive, and aerospace manufacturing for the next generation of female trailblazers.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:54am

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At Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in Centennial, Colorado, the next generation of female students are pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like aviation maintenance, automotive repair, and aerospace manufacturing. The campus is providing hands-on, industry-aligned training to prepare these students for college, trade certifications, apprenticeships, and careers directly out of high school. A recent bond measure will allow the campus to expand and add nine more high-demand career opportunities, further opening doors for young women in these industries.

Why it matters

Women remain underrepresented in many technical and skilled trades fields, making up less than 3% of aircraft mechanics and facing barriers to entering these careers. Programs like the one at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus are working to empower young women, break down stereotypes, and close the gender gap by providing them with the training, experience, and industry certifications needed to thrive in these high-demand industries.

The details

At Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, female students are gaining hands-on experience in a variety of technical fields. Aviation maintenance student Elizabeth Zuber is learning about aircraft systems, maintenance, and FAA regulations. Automotive students Ally Langley and Alia Estares are working on brakes, tires, oil changes, and repairing different types of vehicles. Estares is also taking aerospace manufacturing classes, where she is designing and programming 3D printed products. These students are earning industry certifications and real-world skills that will prepare them for in-demand careers.

  • The campus expansion and new program offerings will begin in the 2026-27 school year.

The players

Elizabeth Zuber

A senior at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus pursuing a career in aviation maintenance.

Ally Langley

A senior at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus pursuing a pathway in automotive maintenance.

Alia Estares

A junior at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus pursuing pathways in automotive maintenance and aerospace manufacturing.

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus

A trade school campus in Centennial, Colorado that is providing hands-on, industry-aligned training to prepare students for careers in technical and skilled trades fields.

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What they’re saying

“Less than 3% of aircraft mechanics are women, so there's not a lot of us, but it's really amazing to be one of those women and help lead the charge and bring women into the industry.”

— Elizabeth Zuber

“Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. I love the experience. Woman or not, you can do it.”

— Alia Estares

“It's cool to show your knowledge. There's nothing that can stop you. There are only more opportunities that can open if you decide to go this route.”

— Ally Langley

What’s next

The campus expansion will add nine more high-demand career opportunities, allowing more students to gain hands-on, industry-aligned training starting in the 2026-27 school year.

The takeaway

Programs like the one at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus are empowering young women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated technical and skilled trades fields, breaking down barriers and closing the gender gap in these high-demand industries.