The Transition to a State Apprenticeship Agency

• Colorado Regulations for Apprenticeship: The adopted rules in the Code of Colorado Regulations (7 CCR 1108-1) that govern RAPs in Colorado.
• Apprenticeship Sponsor Reference Guide: The go-to resource to help RAP Sponsors and their partners implement Program Standards. The Guide also includes information on outreach, hiring, program administration, and other tools to support your program's success. 
• Colorado Requirements for Apprenticeship Sponsors: An overview of the requirements to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations as Colorado transitions to an SAA for existing Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado.
• RAPIDS Sponsor Video:  RAPIDS will remain the administrative system for the SAA. Sponsors are encouraged to review the 20-minute USDOL RAPIDS Sponsor Video. Please see the Sponsor Reference Guide for more information on what functions program Sponsors can directly manage in RAPIDS.

1. Revise Apprenticeship Program Standards: Every Sponsor will work with Apprenticeship Colorado’s Program Development (PD) team to update their Standards to reflect state regulations and branding. Sponsors can choose to update their Appendices in addition to the required updates.

To complete this action item, Sponsors may request support from the State Apprenticeship Agency by emailing apprenticeship@state.co.us.

Review the Colorado Requirements for Apprenticeship Sponsors

2. Confirm Information in RAPIDS:

• Review and update the Point of Contact information (if necessary) in RAPIDS. 
• Confirm a copy of my Standards is on file with the SAA. Sponsors can confirm that Apprenticeship Colorado has a copy by logging into RAPIDS and viewing “Documents”.

3. Update Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) poster and materials: Sponsors will take all steps to remain in compliance with EEO in Apprenticeship and will display the updated EEO posters in accordance with state regulations and update any documents associated with EEO with the information below:

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 
Attention: State Apprenticeship Agency Director 
Office of the Future of Work 
633 17th St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80202

This is not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, but highlights key areas that require attention from Sponsors. For the complete list of responsibilities please refer to the Colorado Regulations for Apprenticeship and the Sponsor Reference Guide.

RAPIDS Administration

• RAPIDS will continue to be the primary source of recordkeeping.
• Apprentice information must be entered into RAPIDS within 45 days of program start date (regardless of whether related instruction or on-the-job learning begins first).
• Apprentices must be completed, transferred, or suspended in RAPIDS and Apprentice Program Completion Certificates are issued in a timely manner.
• Multi-employer agreements and employer information must be up-to-date in RAPIDS.

Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline (Appendix A)

• Programs must operate in alignment with the Standards outlined in Appendix A as it relates to the approach and term of apprenticeship, journeyworker ratio, apprentice wage schedule, probationary period, credit for prior experience, and selection procedures.
• Sponsors can revise these Standards if they are not consistent with the training. 

Apprentice Agreement (Appendix B) 

• Apprentices must be under agreement (regardless of whether related instruction or on-the-job learning begins first) within 45 days of program start date. 
• RAPIDS will begin issuing a Colorado Apprenticeship Agreement which is similar to the ETA 671, but incorporates state law and regulations. The Colorado Apprenticeship Agreement is the preferred state agreement. Programs have the option to use an alternative agreement if in conformity with federal and state law and approved by the SAA. Regardless of the form, all programs operating in Colorado are required to comply with state and federal law. 

Employer Agreements (Appendix D) or Collective Bargaining Agreement

• (If multi-employer program) Per federal and state regulations, employer partners must sign onto Apprenticeship Standards using Appendix D or if applicable, a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Employers who are already party to Standards do not need to re-sign Appendix D if the terms of the Employer Agreement are consistent. Sponsors must provide a copy of the finalized Standards (with all appendices) to employer partners once fully executed. 
• (If multi-employer program) Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that all employers are in RAPIDS and that a copy of the final Standards is shared with all participating employers.