Narrative: III. a. 2. H.

Several initiatives are currently underway in Colorado that support the performance measure in WIOA for attaining postsecondary credentials. The initiatives work with employers, educational institutions, and training providers in unique ways to accomplish this goal. 

Colorado’s sector strategies include the implementation of skill panels that are designed to unpack what employers need when they often require a specific credential in a job posting. After the skills are uncovered, educational institutions can work with sector partnerships to adjust, customize, or design new industry-recognized credentials relevant for key industries in the state.  

Apprenticeship Expansion funds have also contributed to post-secondary workforce integration. The USDOL Certificate of Completion is a key benefit to all Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Rs). Colorado employers may seek additional credentials as evidence of high-quality training. Navigation of both the registered apprenticeship system and postsecondary system (and, if applicable state licensure) presented a cumbersome process involving up to four state and federal partners to create an industry relevant RAP culminating in industry-recognized credentials. To streamline the employer experience and equip jobseekers with in-demand skills,  the CDLE and  CO Department of Higher Education piloted the development of a Postsecondary Apprenticeship Specialist position, housed at the Office of the Future of Work, to provide technical support and develop state-specific resources on the RA model to institutions of higher education (IHE), serve as trainer and quality assurance support to the Apprenticeship Consultants based at the Apprenticeship Hub, and provide direct support to sponsors utilizing IHEs as related instruction providers. The position is funded by both agencies’ Apprenticeship grants (SAEEI and H1-B Scaling Apprenticeship through Sector-based Strategies “CO-HELPS”).  The Specialist serves as a quality assurance intermediary to review work processes and related instruction plans prior to submission to the Office of Apprenticeship. The pilot was so effective as a model for integrating program design in the workforce system, that additional state entities are leveraging funds to support Apprenticeship Specialists under the SAEEI work plan to create high quality credentials in Corrections (Apprenticeship Specialist- Justice-Involved) and Youth Apprenticeship Specialist (Career and Technical Education). 

Through the investment of the Apprenticeship Expansion funds (ASE, SAE2020, SAEEI) and the H1-B Scaling Apprenticeship through Sector-based Strategies (CO-HELPS), Colorado has developed a model to integrate postsecondary credentials into 

Colorado has spurred industry and jobseeker interest in Registered Apprenticeship and integrated RA into the K12 and postsecondary educational systems. Employer and individual outreach via creation of a website (apprenticeshipevolution.com), PSA campaign, and subrecipient collateral materials shifted public perception of apprenticeships. In addition to the 78 programs established leading to USDOL certificates, . Colorado youth have benefitted from the SAE supported the establishment of CareerWise Colorado, which offers apprentices a high school diploma, college credit and work experience. An investment into the curricular design of a healthcare registered apprenticeship at a community college earned recognition by industry through committing over $3 million to RAPs as a training mechanism and by USDOL via an H1B grant of $12million. Many of these programs will be stackable, leading to further college and career opportunities.  

In order to raise awareness of the value and availability of training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, the WORK Act was passed in 2015. Since January 1, 2016, the program accepts applications for matching grants from public and private providers of qualified skilled worker training programs. Qualified grant recipients offer training for skills that are needed in the workplace, with a credential or other evidence of achievement awarded at the completion of training. 

Applications received by the CDLE were transmitted to a 13-member grant review committee composed of representatives of certain government agencies, including CDLE, the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Department of Higher Ed (DHE), the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) in CDLE, as well as representatives from employers and industry. The bill sets forth guidelines for the review of applications by the committee, and the committee is directed to establish formal criteria and rank applications. The committee’s recommendations and rankings are submitted to the executive directors of CDLE, DHE, and OEDIT. These directors then jointly determine grant recipients and amounts.  This program was completed in June 2021.

A growth opportunity has also been identified for concurrent enrollment programs, and 

Colorado HB 15-1275, Measures to Support Concurrent Enrollment in Career and Technical Education Programs, clarifies that a local education provider (secondary school) may include coursework related to apprenticeships and internships in the programs that are available for concurrent enrollment with post-secondary Career and Technical Education programs. It also directs the Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board to assist education providers with creating cooperative agreements with providers of internships and apprenticeships.