“Affirmative Action Programs establish a roadmap for Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsors to promote equal opportunity, develop a workplace free from discrimination, and address any barriers to equality in their apprenticeships. A well-constructed Affirmative Action Program helps sponsors recruit from a broad and diverse pool of candidates, protect apprentices from discrimination and provide opportunities based on apprentices’ merit in their workplace, and hire and promote their best workers. Sponsors set forth their Affirmative Action Programs in a written plan, which expresses a sponsor’s commitment to equality in every aspect of the apprenticeship program.” - Office of Apprenticeship, US Department of Labor
- What is the requirement for Sponsors?
As part of your Equal Employment Opportunity responsibilities outlined in the Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency Rules 7 CCR 1108-01 (1.6)(D)(2) and Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship, 29 C.F.R. § 30.4(b), Sponsors with 5 or more apprentices are required to have an Affirmative Action Plan - Appendix C (AAP) on file with the Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency.
- What is the deadline for Sponsors to complete their Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)?
- Sponsors registered before 7/1/2023 have until 6/30/2025 to complete their AAP.
- Sponsors registered after 7/1/2023 have until two years after the date of registration to complete their AAPs.
- What technical assistance does Apprenticeship Colorado offer to Sponsors for AAP development?
Apprenticeship Colorado provides 1:1 and group technical assistance to Sponsors that need or want to revise develop an Affirmative Action Plan.
- Self-guided tools and templates for developing your AAP
- A recorded, 90-minute webinar that walks you through the AAP building process.
- One-on-one help with developing your AAP
Indicate which type of TA you’d prefer from Apprenticeship Colorado or email us directly at apprenticeship@state.co.us.
- What resources are offered to assist Sponsors in developing their AAPs?
- The Colorado Appendix C - Affirmative Action Plan is the official document template a Sponsor can use to complete their AAP.
- The Apprenticeship Colorado Availability Analysis Tool is available to all RAP Sponsors as they identify the demographic characteristics of their recruitment areas. This tool can be used in conjunction with or instead of the DAT tool found in the RAPIDS Affirmative Action Plan Builder.
- The Utilization Analysis Goal Calculator is used to calculate the 80% goal of utilization for RAP Sponsors. If a Sponsor employs less than 30 apprentices, they must use the 80% method to calculate their utilization of apprentices based on race, gender, and ethnicity.
- The Voluntary Disability Disclosure Form is the approved document all RAP Sponsors use to invite potential and current apprentices to disclose their disability status. This is a required form and is referenced in Section VII of the Colorado Appendix C - Affirmative Action Plan.
- Questions?
Reach out to our team by emailing apprenticeship@state.co.us with your questions!