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The Sponsor Snapshot
Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor Quarterly Newsletter
April 2025
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Apprenticeship Colorado is the State Apprenticeship Agency in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that has the responsibility for:
- Registering and overseeing apprenticeship programs
- Providing technical assistance to current and prospective Sponsors
- Aligning the registered apprenticeship system with Colorado’s workforce, education, and economic development priorities
This edition of the Sponsor Snapshot features:
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Upcoming Deadlines: Affirmative Action Plans
Did you know that as part of the transition to the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) all Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in Colorado registered before 7/1/2023 with 5 or more apprentices are required to complete an Affirmative Action Plan (if applicable) by 6/30/2025? For assistance in meeting the deadline, reach out to apprenticeship@state.co.us.
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 You’re Invited to Participate in our National Apprenticeship Day Fair in Colorado Springs!
Apprenticeship Colorado and Colorado Springs Schools District 11 invite you to participate in their celebrations for National Apprenticeship Day on Wednesday, April 30th. From 9 -10 AM MST, there will be a hybrid webinar with Sponsors, employers, and apprentices followed by an Apprenticeship Fair for students of CSSD11 from 10:15 - 12:45 PM MST at the Roy J Wasson Academic Campus in Colorado Springs.
Questions? Please contact Debbie Shackelford at debbie.shackelford@state.co.us
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Quality Assurance Reviews with Intelligent Partnerships
We’re partnering with Intelligent Partnerships, Inc. (IP) to begin routine Quality Assurance Reviews for select Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in Colorado. Selected RAPs were recently notified by IP via email and postal mail if they were selected for a Quality Assurance Review of their program. This review helps ensure programs continue to meet the standards for Apprenticeship Colorado in accordance with federal and state regulations. Note: Only 35 programs were selected for this initial round of reviews.
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Published Guidance from Apprenticeship Colorado
Published guidance like our Interpretive Notice & Formal Opinions (INFOs) and Executive Memos are available on our Apprenticeship Legislation & Policy webpage. Sponsors are responsible for reviewing all SAA guidance and complying with the requirements.
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Apprenticeship Tax Credit
Did you know that there is a new tax credit for employers of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with occupations in the new and emerging industries? Eligible employers can receive up to $12,600 per apprentice. The New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit was created to encourage the adoption and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the New & Emerging Industries.
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Reminder: 2025 Minimum Wage Laws
The Colorado State minimum wage increased to $14.81 on January 1, 2025, along with other local minimum wages on the Front Range. Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs are required to make any adjustments necessary to comply with current minimum wage laws. A list of all current minimum wages can be found on the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics website. If you need further support with questions regarding apprenticeship and program wages, please contact apprenticeship@state.co.us.
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Technical Assistance Events
Apprenticeship Colorado offers a variety of technical assistance opportunities for Sponsors to help programs successfully implement their Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Sponsor Orientation
Are you a new Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor, or do you have staff members who could use a recap of all the need-to-know compliance requirements of RAPs in Colorado? If so, please join the Apprenticeship Colorado Team at the next Sponsor Orientation. The session will provide a detailed overview of basic requirements and other resources to support Sponsors.
RAPIDS 101 for Sponsors
RAPIDS 101 is a monthly training session for Sponsors dedicated to the basics of the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS). The training includes a walkthrough of RAPIDS and highlights important requirements that Sponsors need to know related to RAPIDS transactions. RAPIDS 101 is held on the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 am.
USDOL to Offer Online Prevailing Wage Seminars in 2025
USDOL’s Wage and Hour Division will offer compliance seminars for contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers and other stakeholders on the requirements for paying prevailing wages on federally funded construction and service contracts. The two-day seminars will offer sessions on the labor standards protections in the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act, including how the department sets and administers prevailing wages and other topics. The upcoming seminars are scheduled on June 25-26 and Sept. 24-25.
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Funding Opportunities
Did you know Apprenticeship Colorado posts information about various funding opportunities that can support programs in Colorado? Visit the Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities webpage.
JFF’s National Apprentice Fund
In April 2025, Jobs for the Future (JFF), with support from Google.org, launched the National Apprentice Fund (NAF) to address this barrier. The fund will offer financial assistance to participants in Registered Apprenticeship Programs who are having trouble paying their expenses while participating in the training. The NAF will focus on supporting apprentices in occupations in new and emerging industries, such as health care and technology, that haven’t traditionally used apprenticeships as a talent development model.
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Resources to Support Your Program and Apprentices
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Contact Us
Apprenticeship Colorado
Colorado Dept of Labor & Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80202
apprenticeship@state.co.us
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