Apprenticeship Colorado turns 1!

A year ago today, Colorado became a State Apprenticeship Agency thanks to the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, Representatives Sullivan and Ortiz, Senators Danielson and Rodriguez, and the Executive leadership of Joseph M Barela , Katherine Keegan , Cher Haavind , and Lee Wheeler-Berliner . This journey in launching a new agency has been profound.?

Since we launched, we have been asked by other states “Why become an SAA?” There are many days where the fatigue sets in, but there are no days in which I question our direction. Because Colorado's communities, as a collective, serve as the evidence of the necessity for a state-driven approach to apprenticeship. For those of you who know me well, you know that I do not get emotional often, and I hope that you know that the following is from the bottom of my heart.?

To everyone in our ecosystem: Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors, Employers, Workforce Partners, Colleges, CTE Partners, Intermediaries, and others who teach me daily that a regulatory agency does not need to “regulate” if there are committed professionals across a state that lead quality training and employment.?

I am amazed at the employers reimagining how they do business. It’s not easy to launch an apprenticeship. We cannot solve it with grant funding, or better government processes alone. The visionary employers who recognize that the future of their workforce depends on thinking differently about how they partner with their competitors, how they consider new talent pools, and what their obligations are for training talent will drive our economy to be successful. This year, more than 233 employers chose apprenticeship as their talent-development strategy.

Sponsorship is often overlooked, yet it's crucial for our system's success. ? Our Sponsors provide the capacity for our system to adopt this game-changing work-based learning model. In a state where 99% of employers are small businesses, we need organizations that understand the importance of administrative leaders. These leaders ensure that apprentices are enrolled, receive their on-the-job training and related instruction, and track their progress through program completion to ensure they attain their certificate of completion. This year, 101 organizations stepped forward to serve as program Sponsors. Thank you to our Program Development Team, under the leadership of Melissa English and Jessica Mathis - CDLE who have supported the registration of these programs and to our entire Quality Assurance team who supports Sponsors once they register to maintain program quality.

Colorado has also distinguished itself by our close relationship with our Talent Partners and our ongoing commitment to Equal Employment in apprenticeship. This is not a “strategy” or “initiative”. I am so proud to work with the committed leadership at our workforce centers, high schools, human service organizations, and nonprofit organizations who want the best for the people they serve. And I am so proud of the day-to-day work of our Access Team, under the leadership of Bryn Nelson and guidance from Londell Jackson, M.Ed. , who continue to innovate on how to coordinate these partners, better connect them with programs, and ensure that young people, and adult career seekers have the resources they need to enroll and succeed in apprenticeship.?

Looking ahead, I want to thank Colorado for our continued work ahead. Let’s make registered apprenticeship part of the dinner table conversation between families and children considering their next step; for employers on how to reimagine their talent needs; for education providers on what “future of work” training looks like. Our team looks forward to collaborating with employers, Sponsors, Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries, and talent partners, to build the most innovative system in the country, with an additional 500 programs over the next 5 years that serve all Coloradoans in every corner of our state.

Thank you to my colleagues across the country, in particular the guidance of SAA Directors through NASTAD and collaboration with our Regional and National USDOL Office of Apprenticeship.

Most importantly, thank you to the staff of Apprenticeship Colorado and the Organizational Services team at the Office of the Future of Work for supporting the work of employers, Sponsors, partners, and apprentices statewide. Looking forward to another exciting year!