1

Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities

Close up of three young apprentices chatting with their leader

Apprenticeship Colorado in the Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is dedicated to shaping an equitable economy of the future and ensuring that Coloradans are equipped with the necessary education, training, skills, and tools to fully participate in the labor force. Learn more about Apprenticeship Colorado and apprenticeships. 

Apprenticeship Colorado administers various funding strategies to accelerate and diversify the Registered Apprenticeship system in Colorado by offering funds for employers and career seekers. Learn more about each and sign up for updates below!

Funding for Employers & Sponsors

New and Emerging Industry Apprenticeship Tax Credit (Open)

Please visit the webpage for more information related to the New and Emerging Industry Apprenticeship Tax Credit.

Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grants (Closed)

The Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grants are competitive awards up to $100,000 to provide capacity building support for organizations that have been officially recognized by the State Apprenticeship Agency as Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries.

The application period for Round 2 of the Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grants is closed.

2025 QAI Grants Recipients

Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the award of $544,830.09 to 6 entities in August of 2025 in QAI Grants. Organizations funded through the QAI Grants are: 

  • Apprenti
  • Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
  • The Master's Apprentice
  • Western Colorado Area Health Education Center
  • Work Options for Women (WO)
  • Workforce Boulder County

Sign-up for Funding Opportunity Announcements

State ScaleUp Grants (Closed)

State ScaleUp Grants are competitive awards that support organizations to develop or expand a Registered Apprenticeship Program. The opportunity funds capacity-building projects for current and future Registered Apprenticeship Program employers and Sponsors.

State ScaleUp Grants are now closed for applications.

Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the award of $348,803 to 7 organizations in the fall of 2025 for State ScaleUp Grants. Organizations funded through State ScaleUp Grants are: 

  • ActivateWork, LLC
  • Colorado Autism Consultants
  • Consulting and Management Services
  • Fort Morgan School District
  • GeriAides, LLC
  • Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center / DBA Huerfano County Hospital District
  • Vail Valley Partnership / Vail Valley Works Inc

Sign-up for Funding Opportunity Announcements

BuildUp Grants (Closed)

BuildUp Grants Round 2: Opportunity Closed

Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the award of $308,376.78 to 4 entities in January of 2025 in BuildUp Grants Round 2. Organizations funded through the BuildUp Grants Round 2 are: 

  • Colorado Contractors Association
  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus
  • Expect Excellence Team
  • Independent Electrical Contractors Training Trust Fund

Sign-up for Funding Opportunity Announcements

BuildUp Grants Round 1

Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the award of $783,815.21 to 6 entities in May of 2024 in BuildUp Grants Round 1. Organizations funded through the BuildUp Grants Round 1 are: 

  • Blue Mountain Mechanical
  • Construction Education Foundation of Colorado
  • Fortified Academy
  • Haynes Mechanical Systems
  • Independent Plumbing Solutions
  • LONG Building Technologies
Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants (Closed)

Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants are competitive awards that assist existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in the Transmission or Distribution Lineworker Trades, absorb costs associated with career training, and help more people obtain and retain employment in the sector.

Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the award of $600,000.00 to 5 entities in September of 2025 in Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants. Organizations funded through the Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants are: 

  • Altitude Energy, LLC
  • Mountain States Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
  • Mountain View Electric Association, Inc.
  • TIC-The Industrial Company
  • Public Service Company of Colorado

Sign-up for Funding Opportunity Announcements

Other Funding for Employers
  • The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) offers various funding opportunities for employers, job seekers, and Sponsors for registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning models.
  • Prosperity Denver Fund: You might be eligible for funding. Are you serving Denver learners (Denver residents or Denver high school grads) through apprenticeships or offering credentials? If so, you could be eligible for reimbursement of up to 75% of your training program costs through the Prosperity Denver Fund (PDF). PDF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit funded by Denver sales tax that offers financial reimbursement to qualifying nonprofits that support Denver students completing postsecondary options.   Find out more about the funding and eligibility.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor has launched the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, a $35.8 million initiative aimed at expanding high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing. Learn more about the fund.
  • YouthBuild Program grants support the development of pre-apprenticeships in high-demand industries including construction, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. The grants support initiatives to help provide academic support, occupational skills training and employment services to young people, ages 16 to 24, in communities where many youths are not participating in the labor force. Learn more about this funding opportunity. 

Funding for Career Seekers & Apprentices

Apprenticeship programs may be free or have associated tuition, fees, supplies, or other training materials. Career seekers and apprentices may find many resources available to support associated costs through local workforce centers, education partners, and apprenticeship intermediaries.  Incentives, scholarships, and grants offered to apprentices by Registered Apprenticeship Programs are also listed on the Apprenticeship Directory under the program's directory profile listing.

Local Workforce Center Support

Apprentices may qualify for funding through their local workforce center depending on if they meet eligibility requirements. The local workforce center may be able to offer  supportive services, cover costs for related instruction, and other support. Contact the workforce center near you for more information. 

Other Apprenticeship Funding

Tax Credits and Incentives

The state of Colorado and its partners offers various tax credits and incentives related to apprenticeship. Note that Apprenticeship Colorado does not administer these tax credits or incentives listed below.

  • The Opportunity Now Tax Credit, is a refundable tax credit that provides financial assistance for facility improvements and/or equipment acquisition costs associated with training programs designed to alleviate workforce shortages linked to IIJA, IRA and CHIPS. Questions? Email Misti.Ruthven@state.co.us.
  • A CollegeInvest 529 Savings Plan is a tax-free educational savings account that can be used to pay for apprenticeships. For Colorado taxpayers, contributions to any CollegeInvest savings account are eligible for a deduction from your state income tax return.  
  • The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit that incentivizes employers for hiring within targeted groups of job seekers. The WOTC can reduce employer federal tax liability by as much as $9600, when you hire talented, skilled, hard-to-place job seekers.  Read the WOTC Quick Reference Guide.
  • The Enterprise Zone Job Training Tax Credit helps businesses develop and retain a skilled workforce. Businesses located within enterprise zones can earn a state income tax credit of 12% of eligible job training costs for employees and apprentices working within the enterprise zone.
  • The Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP) provides financial incentives for school districts and charter schools that encourage high school students, grades 9-12, to complete qualified industry credential programs, including registered apprenticeships and quality pre-apprenticeships.
  • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Incentive includes bonus credits for businesses that pay workers a prevailing wage and use Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
  • The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements requires that all electricians installing, operating, or maintaining EV supply equipment have a certification from the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) or graduation or a continuing education certificate from a Registered Apprenticeship Program.  Additionally, for projects that require more than one electrician, at least one electrician must be enrolled in an electrical Registered Apprenticeship Program.
  • The Federal Bonding Program is a 6-month no cost fidelity bond for applicants who are denied coverage by commercial carriers due to their at risk background.  A fidelity bond is provided to the employer free of charge and serves as an incentive to hire a job applicant who is an ex-offender or has an at-risk background in obtaining employment.