Apprenticeship Colorado & the Workforce System
Apprenticeship Colorado partners with the Colorado Workforce System to serve Coloradans through training and upskilling. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) emphasizes the use of Work-Based Learning strategies, including Registered Apprenticeship, leading to post-secondary success and sustainable employment. The WIOA Combined State Plan emphasizes Registered Apprenticeship as a valuable tool for the delivery of business services and career services to enhance outcomes for Coloradans and alignment with state partners such as Apprenticeship Colorado to achieve these goals. Alignment between the two systems is further outlined in state policy through the joint Policy Guidance Letter, Registered Apprenticeships in WIOA Title I.
- Registered Apprenticeship Programs and the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) are automatically eligible to be placed on Colorado’s ETPL per TEGL 8-19, Change 1. The ETPL is a list of approved training providers that offer programs that are funded through WIOA. These programs are designed to help individuals prepare for employment in high-demand fields. All RAPs provide training in an in-demand occupation under WIOA. Apprenticeship Colorado regularly communicates the benefits of being placed on the ETPL to current and new sponsors to promote alignment with Colorado’s workforce system. On the Colorado Registered Apprenticeship Program Directory, there is a filter you can use to view RAPs that are listed on the ETPL. If you are working with a RAP that would like to opt into the ETPL, please have them contact apprenticeship@state.co.us.
- How Apprenticeship Colorado Partners with the Workforce System
Apprenticeship Colorado partners with workforce centers across Colorado to support Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) by:
- Supporting diverse hiring and recruitment
- Offering funding and services to eligible apprentices to support their access and completion
- And supporting employers and RAP Sponsors through a wide variety of business services
Apprenticeship Colorado is excited to continue the partnership with the local workforce system under the new Qualified Intermediary structure. All 10 local areas in the state have been recognized as Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries working to expand the apprenticeship ecosystem in Colorado to serve apprentices, employers, and sponsors.
- Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for WIOA Participants
- Access to high quality career pathways for Adults, Dislocated Worker, and Youth participants
- Low barriers to entry
- Earn while you learn model - high-quality training without the opportunity cost of missing a paycheck
- Ability to earn a nationally recognized credential in the form of the Certificate of Completion issued by the SAA
- Ability to earn college credits that can be applied to future degrees
- Ability to earn other industry-recognized credentials
Resources for Business & Career Services Professionals
- Resources for Business Services
Business service professionals and the Apprenticeship Colorado Team support before, during, and after a program is launched. Here are some resources to understand the business services role in apprenticeship, how business services connect to apprenticeship, and what resources are available for employers.
- Examples of Colorado Registered Apprenticeship Programs: Sample work processes of apprenticeship programs registered in Colorado.
- Sign up for That’s a RAP! Monthly Registered Apprenticeship Training Newsletter: A monthly newsletter for employers, Sponsors, and partners of Registered Apprenticeships to receive updates on recently registered programs, funding opportunities, announcements and more.
- Help promote the ETPL to Sponsors
- Resources for Career Services
Career service professionals support career seekers to understand, find and be successful in apprenticeship. Here are some resources to understand the career services role in apprenticeship, how career services professionals can help job seekers determine if apprenticeships are a good fit for them, and what resources are available to support job seekers in their search.
- A Guide to Apprenticeships for Partners: The go-to resource to provide guidance on registered apprenticeship for our valued partners who work with career seekers. Partners should use this guide to understand registered apprenticeship and how to connect career seekers to Apprenticeship opportunities in Colorado.
- Colorado Apprenticeship Resource Directory: A comprehensive resource list of RAPs developed by Apprenticeship Colorado and enacted by Senate Bill 19-171. Career coaches should use this as a reference, it does not indicate whether or not the program is actively accepting applications.
- Apprenticeship Directory Desk Aid: Guide for career services professionals working with students and job seekers on how to use the Directory to learn about existing Programs.
- Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL): Resource to indicate programs authorized to pay for individual training accounts (ITAs) for WIOA Title I Adults and Dislocated Workers in Colorado. RAPs are pre-approved to be on the ETPL and have streamlined reporting requirements.
- Sign up for the In the Know Newsletter: In the Know is a monthly newsletter for career services professionals, counselors, and those who work with career seekers to provide them with updates, training, and opportunities related to apprenticeship in Colorado.
- Register for the Monthly Expansion Call: Apprenticeship Expansion Calls provide vital information, highlight promising practices, and facilitate relationships among partners operating in the apprenticeship system in Colorado in order to support RAPs after registration and expand the system to more job seekers and employers statewide.