By CWDC Career Pathways Consultant Thomas Hartman, PhD
November is Colorado Apprenticeship Month, a time when businesses, communities, and educators across the state come together to showcase their apprenticeship programs. This celebration not only highlights apprentices and their contributions but also provides valuable insights for career seekers about the apprenticeship pathway.
In 2020, I hired my first registered apprentice. Before that, I had the privilege of hosting interns, which was rewarding for both the interns and my organization. However, hiring a registered apprentice through CareerWise Colorado was a game-changer. It elevated our return on investment—not only for us but for the apprentice as well. Together, we created opportunities beyond our organization, supporting the apprentice's career pathway and benefiting the wider community.
Today, finding qualified early-career talent is becoming increasingly expensive, competitive, and time-consuming. CareerWise Colorado offers an effective talent solution that supports companies across various industries and sizes.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with several apprentices hired as CWDC Project Management Apprentices. By the end of their three-year program, they are fully qualified for professional project management associate roles, complete with hands-on experience and an industry-recognized credential.
Working with apprentices requires an initial investment of time, especially as an employer, supervisor, coach and mentor. Since most apprentices begin as high school juniors or seniors, we focus on the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Continuum, with an emphasis on “learning at work.” I always prioritize their schooling, while treating them as professionals from day one to help develop their skills and confidence.
The onboarding process and the hiring process aligns with our standard organizational practices, and CareerWise provides substantial support with recruiting, vetting, and preparing both apprentices and their mentors for success.
By the third year, apprentices contribute at a level you would expect from professional staff, bringing valuable skills and insights to our organization.
If I have piqued your interest, consider exploring CareerWise Colorado or our state's Apprenticeship Colorado office to learn how you can strengthen your talent pipeline and make a difference in a young person's career.