HOUSE ADVANCES STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY

New state agency would increase access to apprenticeship programs in Colorado

DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would create a state apprenticeship agency to oversee, promote and ensure the quality of apprenticeship programs in Colorado.

“Making sure workers have the tools and skills they need to get back to work will help Colorado recover faster and build back stronger,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Apprenticeship programs are a proven way to help train our workforce and fill positions in growing industries. By creating a state apprenticeship agency, we can help more Coloradans access quality programs, expand their careers, and get back to work.”

“This bill will create good paying jobs and help Coloradans get back to work by creating a state apprenticeship agency,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Coloradans across our state would jump at the chance to enter a quality apprenticeship program. These critical training opportunities lead to good jobs and careers, and by creating this agency, we can expand these programs to new and growing industries.”

HB21-1007, sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and David Ortiz, would establish a state apprenticeship agency. The agency will collaborate with the US Department of Labor to register and oversee apprenticeship programs at the state level, determine standards for apprenticeship programs, and ensure these standards are being met. It will work to promote apprenticeship programs so that more Coloradans can access these critical training opportunities, which to-date have jump-started the careers of nearly 2 million Americans in the last decade.

Because Colorado does not have a state apprenticeship agency, apprenticeship programs are currently registered with the US Department of Labor. This new state agency would work with businesses and organizations offering apprenticeship programs to provide technical assistance to help them create and meet standards and provide more flexibility to ensure apprentices are learning the skills they need to advance in their trade. Twenty-five other states have state apprenticeship councils.