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About Apprenticeship Colorado

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About Apprenticeship Colorado

In an economy transformed by technological advances, including automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization, the need for on-the-job learning has become critical. Apprenticeships help workers gain skills and education while earning a paycheck, and employers need a reliable workforce pipeline to ensure their long-term success.

On June 23, 2021, Governor Polis signed HB21-1007: State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) into law, codifying the state's commitment to increase access to earn-and-learn programs that lead to high quality jobs and to build the talent pipeline that industry needs.

With oversight of the SAA, Apprenticeship Directory, and expansion of registered apprenticeships, the OFW will play a direct role in ensuring more Coloradan workers and businesses have access to high quality apprenticeship programs that create a future-ready talent pipeline.

State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) Implementation Updates 

Following adoption of HB21-1007 and in order to meet the July 1, 2023 deadline in the bill, CDLE must move to secure recognition of the Colorado SAA by the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship. Recognition confers non-exclusive authority to determine whether an apprenticeship program conforms to the published standards and whether the program is eligible for registration. The process for recognition of the SAA is described in 29 CFR § 29.13 - Recognition of State Apprenticeship Agencies.

The OFW is in the process of hiring key staff for implementation, establishing a standing stakeholder meeting for implementation updates. To get on the stakeholder list for updates please email apprenticeship@state.co.us.

The legislation directs the SAA to create two Councils to provide professional and technical expertise and advise the SAA on registered apprenticeship standards, rules, and performance. The State Apprenticeship Council (SAC) advises on the building and construction trades, and the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship (IAC) will advise all other industries. In the first year, the SAC and IAC will support the SAA as it develops the State plan and standards in accordance with 29 CFR § 29.13.

On Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 Governor Polis announced the members of SAC and IAC.  See a list of members below.

 

State Apprenticeship Council Voting Members

The council will advise the State Apprenticeship Agency on registered apprenticeships for the building and construction trades. 

  • Gerald Arnold, Denver Pipefitters Local Union #208
  • David Davia, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association
  • Michael Gifford, Associated General Contractors - Colorado
  • Jeremy Ross, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 68
  • Shane Haas, FCI Constructors, Inc.
  • Jeanie Kelley, RK Mechanical
  • Heather Sherwood,  Western States College of Construction
  • Marilyn Akers Stansbury, Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain 
  • Jason Wardrip, Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council 
  • Sean Wyatt, Plumbers Local Union 3 
Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship Voting Members

The committee will advise the State Apprenticeship Agency on registered apprenticeships for all other industries, with membership reflecting high-demand jobs. 

  • Julia Brink, Red Rocks Childcare Innovation Center
  • Curtis Englehart, Mesa County Workforce Center
  • Nicole Jones, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity Youth Services
  • Dani Kimlinger, Colorado Society for Human Resources Management State Council
  • Mary Mino, MSM Advisory Group
  • Jaime Pearson, Centura Health
  • Luis Ponce, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
  • Meaghan Sullivan, Careerwise
Non-voting members of the State Apprenticeship Council and Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship 
  • Joshua Cody, Colorado Farm Brewery representing the Colorado Workforce Development Council
  • Eric Dunker,  Arapahoe Community College representing a training provider
  • Cher Haavind, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • Sarah Heath, Colorado Community College System
  • Kayla Shock, Office of Economic Development and International Trade 
  • Renee Welch, Colorado Department of Higher Education 
  • Lorena Zimmer, Denver Health representing equal opportunity in apprenticeship
Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship Meetings
The Office of the Future of Work values ensuring accessibility for all those who participate in our activities and events. If you are in need of accommodations, please email apprenticeship@state.co.us with your request at least 7 business days before the date of the event.
 
The Office of the Future of Work valora garantizar la accesibilidad para todos aquellos que participan en nuestras actividades y eventos. Si necesita adaptaciones, envíe un correo electrónico a apprenticeship@state.co.us con su solicitud al menos 7 días antes de la fecha del evento.
State Apprenticeship Council Meetings
The Office of the Future of Work values ensuring accessibility for all those who participate in our activities and events. If you are in need of accommodations please email apprenticeship@state.co.us with your request at least 7 business days before the date of the event.
 
The Office of the Future of Work valora garantizar la accesibilidad para todos aquellos que participan en nuestras actividades y eventos. Si necesita adaptaciones, envíe un correo electrónico a apprenticeship@state.co.us con su solicitud al menos 7 días antes de la fecha del evento.
Ad Hoc & Joint Committee Meetings
  • September 8, 2022 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (VIRTUAL)

  • September 22, 2022 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (VIRTUAL)

  • September 27, 2022 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (VIRTUAL)

Registered Apprenticeship Expansion

The SAA is responsible for investing in and coordinating innovations in apprenticeship expansion. These activities are supported by the federal USDOL Apprenticeship Expansion grants listed below.

  • Building Apprenticeship Capacity through Innovation, funded via State Apprenticeship Expansion 2020
  • Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE) Grant

These expansion grants allow CDLE and its partners to provide funding, technical assistance, outreach, and other resources to support the expansion of quality pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs.

Learn More About Related Legislation