Sept. 24, 2020 - The third week of Workforce Development Month in Colorado is focused on apprenticeships and their value to Colorado students, workers, and employers. Apprenticeship is an employer-driven model and form of experiential learning that combines on-the-job learning as a paid employee with related classroom instruction in order to increase an apprentice’s skill level and wages. By participating in apprenticeship programs, apprentices can earn a paycheck while learning in-demand skills and gaining work experience, and employers can build their talent pipeline by hiring and training the talent they need to remain competitive.
Colorado has emerged as a leading state in promoting and implementing the apprenticeship model in fields as diverse as IT, finance, and healthcare. Check out some recent and upcoming apprenticeship initiatives below, and learn more about apprenticeships and how to get involved at ApprenticeshipEvolution.com. CDLE is also sharing apprenticeship-related events from across the state on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
2020 Apprenticeship Awards Nominations
The 2020 Colorado Apprenticeship Awards will be held virtually on Nov. 10 and will honor outstanding apprentices, businesses, mentors, programs, and partnerships. Nominations in each of these five categories will be accepted through Oct. 11. Submit a nomination.
State Agency Partners Release IRAP Framework
Colorado has been invested in scaling three types of apprenticeships: Registered apprenticeships (RAPs), collegiate apprenticeships, and the modern youth apprenticeship. In 2017 the United States Department of Labor announced Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) as a new type of apprenticeship to rapidly increase the availability of high quality programs in sectors where apprenticeship opportunities are limited. IRAPs are competency-based apprenticeship programs that provide individuals with opportunities to obtain workplace-relevant knowledge and progressively advancing skills.
The CWDC worked with state agency partners from CDLE, CDHE, and CCCS to publish Colorado’s High Quality IRAP Framework in August. As Colorado integrates IRAPs, and the number of apprenticeships and other forms of work-based learning grow, this framework outlines quality standards for industry and Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) to consider in the design of new IRAPs in Colorado.
Get Involved During Workforce Development Month
Please share your events and success stories for promotion throughout September. You can also follow the CWDC on Twitter and LinkedIn and CDLE on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook for information on events, initiatives, and success stories during the month.