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
- BuildUp Grants
BuildUp Grants Round 2: Accepting Applications
Apprenticeship Colorado is seeking applications from Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in the Building and Construction Trades interested in increasing access for target populations through providing training at no cost to new apprentices.
The goal of the BuildUp Grants are to increase access to existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in the Building and Construction Trades by providing training at no cost to new apprentices. Total budget for this opportunity is $400,000.00 and multiple grants will be funded with a possible maximum initial grant award of $100,000.00.
Entities that are eligible to apply for the BuildUp Grant include single or group of organizations with a documented association (Sponsor, Employer, Related Instruction Provider) with an existing Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Building and Construction Trades.
How to Apply
To apply for this opportunity, please visit the following Bidnet site containing all grant RFA details. Registration is required and is free. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 29th at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
Informational Webinar
For more information, there will be a webinar to answer questions July 30, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT via Zoom. Attendance for this conference is optional. Register for this webinar.
Accommodations:
Apprenticeship Colorado values ensuring accessibility for all those who participate in our activities and events. If you need accommodations for the webinar, please email apprenticeship@state.co.us with your request at least 5 business days before the event date.
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
Sign up to receive updates regarding future funding opportunities from Apprenticeship Colorado by selecting “Funding Opportunities” .
- Scale-Up Grants
Applications Closed
Scale-Up 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.
Apprenticeship Colorado is pleased to announce the second cycle of Scale-Up Grants and the award of $699,670 to 14 organizations in June of 2023. Organizations funded through Cycle 2 of the Scale-Up Grants are:
- African American Trade Association
- Atom Physics
- City of Loveland
- Colorado Autism Consultants
- Colorado Energy Office
- Fortified Development, LLC
- Morgan County School District
- Mountain Roots
- RapidAscent Inc
- Reliance Electric
- Shaw Solar + Energy
- Skills Academy Vocational Center (NRAEF)
- The Center for Development of Economic Equity
- TIC - The Industrial Company
View a list of Cycle 1 Scale-Up Grant recipients.
Sign up to receive updates regarding future funding opportunities from Apprenticeship Colorado by selecting “Funding Opportunities” .
- 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.
- The Colorado Department of Human Services announces the RFP Employment First Third Party Partnerships. Agencies currently offering or interested in providing employment and training services to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) clients, including both recipients and applicants are invited to submit proposals. These services encompass a wide range of opportunities, such as vocational training, credentialing programs, internships, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and more. Various agencies, including employers, apprenticeship programs, and training providers, may be eligible for funding consideration.
- Apply for the Third Party Partnerships RFP. Choose "View Published Solicitations" from the blue "What would you like to do?" menu bar near the top of the page. Enter the solicitation number 2024000349 in the keyword search box, which will bring up the solicitation. All documents will be in the "Attachments" tab. RFP closes 07/15/2024 03:00 PM MDT.
- The Pikes Peak Workforce Center has $200,000 in Employee Development Funds to award to companies in El Paso and Teller Counties who want to train or upskill their current employees. A business may receive Employee Development funding for W-2 workers, so they may gain training, which leads to an industry-recognized credential or pursue training that leads to an in-demand or growth occupation. Learn how to apply for the Employee Development Funds. Deadline for Applications: Friday, August 2, 2024, by 8 PM MDT.
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.
- The Apprenticeship Scholarship
Registered apprenticeships are a great way to learn in-demand skills while also earning a paycheck. New qualifying apprentices may receive a scholarship that can be used for tuition, fees, tools, and other training materials. The scholarship is offered through your local workforce center in Colorado.
- Apprenticeship Scholarship Flyer
- Connect with a Navigator to Learn More About the Apprenticeship Scholarship
Please note, this scholarship is not affiliated with a higher education institution's federal, state or school financial aid package. For collegiate apprentices, please see your institution's financial aid representative for more information.
- Opportunity Next Colorado
Opportunity Next is a resource tailored specifically for Colorado's Class of 2024, this program provides scholarships through registered apprenticeships and eligible training providers, free advising and coaching, and resources to help students navigate their next step.
Visit OpportunityNext.org to find eligible scholarship programs and access:
- Free personalized education and career coaching in partnership with InsideTrack
- Career pathfinder tool on the eight in-demand industries in Colorado
- Free expert financial aid counseling in partnership with uAspire
Check out the Opportunity Next promotional toolkit for student resources to help spread the word about the scholarship program!
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.
- 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.