Narrative: b. 2.

Colorado recognizes that Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) are an important component of potential training and employment services that the workforce system can provide to its business customers and job seekers. RAs are a key component within a spectrum of work-based learning activities that are used to create opportunity for both industry and job seekers in Colorado. Local service providers will be expected to utilize RAs as a career pathway program for job seekers and as a job-driven strategy for employers and industries. Regional and local plans will address the inclusion of RAs in sector strategies and ensure that RAs are an integral part of the work based learning options that WIOA customers may access. The state will provide training, technical assistance and access to USDOL’s RA resources to encourage and foster the use of existing programs, as well as the development of new RAs. Local workforce boards will be expected to develop local policies and procedures to implement RAs, which may include the use of pre-apprenticeships, Individual Training Accounts and On-the-Job Training awards to customers who wish to start an apprenticeship or complete an apprenticeship in progress.

Central to this strategy of creating industry-led opportunity is the work done under the ApprenticeshipUSA State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants. The purpose of this grants is to strengthen RA efforts by expanding the industry sectors and range of occupations involved and increasing access to RAs for more diverse and underrepresented populations. This work is aimed at fundamentally changing the way Colorado’s workforce and educational systems approach employment and training for youth and adults. RAs allow employers to design programs with specific skills, training and job-related instruction tailored to the company’s needs and are considered the “gold standard” for apprenticeship training in the United States. Statewide, over a dozen new RA programs have been created and over 450 apprentices placed in new and existing apprenticeship programs through partnerships and opportunities fostered through this grant. Catalysts to RA expansion include CDLE’s dedicated apprenticeship coordinator, technical support to industry associations, and a key partner in the creation of youth apprenticeships, CareerWise Colorado.

The investment of the State Apprenticeship Expansion grant has led to deep coordination across state and local agencies. The Apprenticeship State Expansion grant efforts will build out the necessary infrastructure to support this activity and serve more individuals and businesses.  The funds will be used to support coordination with DOC, DVR, CDHE, and DORA, as well as build out the longitudinal data systems for participant outcomes tracking and ETPL improvement.