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State Apprenticeship Council

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On March 23rd, 2023 Governor Polis signed SB23-051 Conforming Workforce Development Statutes. The legislation directs the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) to establish the State Apprenticeship Council (SAC) to provide professional and technical expertise and advise the SAA on registered apprenticeship standards, rules, and performance. The SAC is made up of two committees: the Committee for Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Trades (CABCT) which advises the SAA on the building and construction trades, and the Committee for Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries (CANEI) which advises the SAA on all other industries. The list of industries/occupations related to each committee are defined by the SAC and reviewed annually for updates. The SAC will support the SAA as it develops the State plan and standards in accordance with 29 CFR ยง 29.13.

 

Learn More About the SAA

Read the Announcement of SAC Appointments

 

State Apprenticeship Council Members

Committee for Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Trades Voting Members

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

  • Gerald Arnold, Denver Pipefitters Local Union #208
  • Jeff Barratt Associated General Contractors Colorado
  • Jeanie Kelley, RK Mechanical
  • Heather Sherwood, Western States College of Construction
  • Jason Wardrip, Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council 
  • Sonny Welch, Plumbers Local Union 3  
  • Zack Esquibel, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68
  • Cori Gerlitz, Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado
  • Bryan Cook, Colorado Contractors Association
  • David Scott, Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain
Committee for Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries 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, Red Rocks Community College
  • Nicole Jones, Elite Workforce Consulting LLC
  • Dani Kimlinger, Colorado Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) State Council
  • Luis Ponce, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
  • Jorge Avendano Curiel, Denver Health
  • Stacy Griest, Colorado Restaurant Foundation
  • David Merriman, ArborScape Inc.
  • Kathryn Harris, ActivateWork
Non-voting members of the State Apprenticeship Council
  • Eric Dunker,  Reach University representing a training provider
  • Heather Brooks, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • Sarah Heath, Colorado Community College System representing Career and Technical Education
  • Marie Pecoraro, Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
  • Renee Welch, Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE)
  • Ryan Gensler, CareerWise Colorado
  • Tracy Mead, Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC)
Apply to Join the State Apprenticeship Council

State Apprenticeship Council Membership - Director Appointments

Per CRS 8-15.7-103, the director shall appoint ten voting members familiar with apprenticeable occupations to the Committee on Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Trades as follows:

  • Four representatives from employer organizations, one of whom represents a statewide employer organization, one of whom represents an employer involved with an apprenticeship program targeting populations with barriers to employment, and one of whom represents a statewide organization of general and specialty commercial construction contractors that is knowledgeable about registered apprenticeship programs
  • Four representatives from employee organizations, one of whom represents a statewide employee organization
  • Two representatives of the public

Per CRS 8-15.7-104, the director shall appoint eight voting members to the Committee on Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries who represent, and are regularly evaluated to ensure that the representation aligns with, high-demand jobs, as stated in the annual Colorado talent report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103(3), as follows:

  • Three representatives of employer organizations that are not within the building and construction trades; at least one of whom represents an employer involved with a program explicitly targeting populations with barriers to employment, including women, people of color, ex-offenders, and persons with disabilities; one of whom represents youth with barriers to employment; and one of whom represents out-of-school youth
  • Three representatives from employee organizations that are not within the building and construction trades
  • One representative from a qualified intermediary
  • One member of the public

State Apprenticeship Council Membership - Governor Appointments

Per CRS 8-15.7-103, the governor shall appoint seven nonvoting, ex officio members to serve on the CABCT and the CANEI as follows:

  • One representative from CDLE
  • One representative of career and technical education programs
  • One representative with experience in economic development
  • One representative of training providers;
  • One representative of the state work force development council created in section 24-46.3-101;
  • One member who is interested in promoting equal opportunity in apprenticeship; and
  • One representative from the department of higher education.

Application Process

  1. To be considered for an appointment to the State Apprenticeship Council, please complete the State Apprenticeship Council Interest Form.
  2. Once the Interest Form is completed, staff from Apprenticeship Colorado will be reaching out for next steps in the application process.
  3. Anyone needing an alternate way to apply in lieu of submitting this electronic form, can print, complete, and mail this form to us, or contact Apprenticeship Colorado for assistance at (720) 204-8608.
  4. If you have any questions or problems with the application please contact our office at apprenticeship@state.co.us 

State Apprenticeship Council Meetings

Apprenticeship Colorado 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 5 business days before the date of the event.

Public Registration for 2025 SAC Meetings

State Apprenticeship Council (SAC) Meetings
Ad Hoc Meetings
  • August 5, 2025 11:30am- 12:00 pm (Virtual)
  • November 4, 11:11:30am- 12:00 pm (Virtual)
Taskforce Meetings

Solar Taskforce Meeting

Pre-Apprenticeship Taskforce Meeting

  • Next date TBD
Past State Apprenticeship Council (SAC) Meetings

Past Ad Hoc Meetings

Past Taskforce Meetings

 

 

Learn More About Apprenticeship Legislation and Policy