For Immediate Release | April 7, 2023
(DENVER) – Apprenticeship Colorado at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is seeking applications from employers and sponsors interested in developing and expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs statewide. This is the second round of Scale-Up Grants to be offered that encourage the launching, scaling, and diversifying of Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in the state.
Awards range up to $50,000 and prioritize projects that embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship. Funds for the awards originate from the Innovation, Diversity, Equity in Apprenticeship (IDEA) grant that was awarded to CDLE from USDOL under the State Apprenticeship Expansion Equity and Innovation grant in July 2021.
“Apprenticeships are critical to ensuring that Colorado’s businesses and workers are equipped with the talent and skills needed to thrive and modernize,” said Denise Miller, Director of Apprenticeship Colorado. “By building a Registered Apprenticeship System across the state that reflects the diversity of our workforce, we can help meet the needs of Colorado’s evolving economy.”
These Scale Up grants will be the first funding opportunity available under the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA). Grantees will benefit from the support of the Apprenticeship Colorado team and participate in a cohort of other employers launching apprenticeship programs. Research on apprenticeship grantees indicates that employers who invest in registered apprenticeship programs have a return on investment of $1.44 of benefits for every dollar spent. Employers report reduced turnover, improved work culture, enhanced co-worker productivity, and having a pipeline of skilled workers.
Apprenticeships also benefit workers, who are able to earn while they learn. Given that many people cannot afford to quit working in order to pursue training or education, apprenticeships can also help address inequities in the labor market.
A virtual informational session will be held on April 12, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. via Zoom to allow prospective applicants the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to this grant opportunity. Please email apprenticeship@state.co.us for meeting accommodations.
Please note the following dates and times:
- Application Deadline: May 5th, 2023 at 5 p.m.
- Start of Grant Period: July, 2023
- End of Grant Period: December 31, 2024
For more information, including full funding details and instructions on how to apply, please visit the Apprenticeship Colorado website.
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Additional Resources:
Apprenticeship Colorado
Apprenticeship Colorado Funding Opportunities
Scale-Up Grant Program
Scale-Up Programa de Subvenciones
Contact:
CDLE's Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations:
cdle_pr@state.co.us