Sponsor Snapshot: August 2025 Edition

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment sent this bulletin at 08/04/2025 12:00 PM MDT

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The Sponsor Snapshot

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor Quarterly Newsletter

August 2025 Edition

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:

Requirements & Guidance
Technical Assistance & Training
Funding Opportunities
Talent and Recruitment Resources

Requirements & Guidance

Update on EEO Requirements in 29 CFR Part 30

On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (OA) issued Circular #2025-03, Guidance – Interim Non-enforcement of the Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship Regulations at 29 CFR Part 30. This guidance states that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has adopted an interim non-enforcement policy of EEO requirements in 29 CFR Part 30. USDOL has also signaled their intention to revise 29 CFR Part 30 to remove EEO requirements in a proposed rule.

Read the frequently asked questions for Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado are available on our website at apprenticeship.colorado.gov/eeo-in-apprenticeship and the Executive Memo sent to Sponsors of RAPs in Colorado.

INFO #5: Reciprocity, INFO #6: Worksite Analysis, and INFO #7: Multi-Employer Program Responsibilities

During the month of July, the SAA published the following guidance for Sponsors and employer partners of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs):

Published guidance, like our Interpretive Notice & Formal Opinions (INFOs) and Executive Memos, is available on our Apprenticeship Legislation & Policy webpage. Sponsors are responsible for reviewing all SAA guidance and complying with the requirements.

Visit the Policy & Legislation Page

Technical Assistance & Training

Check It Out: RAP Ready: Your Complete Guide to Registered Apprenticeships

Navigate the world of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with confidence. This comprehensive 12-part video series breaks down everything you need to know about apprenticeships in Colorado – from understanding core components and roles to completing documentation and finding talent. Whether you're an employer exploring the apprenticeship model, a Sponsor developing your first program, or a partner looking for opportunities, these bite-sized videos (3-5 minutes each) provide practical guidance backed by Apprenticeship Colorado. Get the tools, resources, and support you need to succeed in Colorado's thriving apprenticeship ecosystem.

Watch the RAP Ready Video Series

New EEO Resources for Apprenticeship Sponsors

We are excited to share with you another new video series, "EEO Message" developed to serve as a vital resource for Registered Apprenticeship Programs in understanding key topics in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) responsibilities in apprenticeship. These videos specifically address the following essential aspects of EEO compliance within RAPs.

These videos can also be found on our Apprenticeship Colorado Video page.

New Tool: Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Builder Guide

The AAP Builder Guide provides Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors with guidance on how to use the RAPIDS Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Builder. An AAP is a requirement of all Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) which have registered five (5) or more apprentices into their RAP per federal and state regulations 29 CFR 30 and 7 CCR 1108-1 (1.6). While there are other ways to create and submit an AAP to the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), the AAP Builder is the preferred method of doing so.

Technical Assistance Events

Apprenticeship Colorado offers a variety of training 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.
- Register for the next Sponsor Orientation
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.
- Register for an upcoming RAPIDS 101
USDOL Prevailing Wage Seminar
- 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 Sept. 24-25.
- Register for the 2025 Prevailing Wage Seminars in 2025.

Check Out Training Opportunities & Resources

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.

New & Emerging Industries 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 by HB24-1439 Financial Incentives Expand Apprenticeship Programs to encourage the adoption and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the New & Emerging Industries.

Note: Per Colorado statute, the list of Colorado Apprenticeship Occupations and Industries is determined by the State Apprenticeship Council (SAC), who use their industry expertise to review the list on an annual basis. In May 2025, the SAC conducted its review. During this review, they re-classified several O*Net Codes under 49-0000 as Building and Construction Trades, which renders these occupations ineligible for the Apprenticeship Tax Credit.

Visit the Tax Credit Webpage

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Talent and Recruitment Resources

Recruitment Resources

Apprenticeship Colorado lists resources to recruit apprentices on our website. Some of these resources include:

Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries - Qualified Talent Intermediaries offer targeted services for career seekers and apprentices and are a great recruitment partner for RAPs
Equal Employment Opportunity Partners - Equal Employment Opportunity Partner can assist in connecting candidates in underrepresented populations to your Registered Apprenticeship Program.
K12 Contact Directory - Connect with K-12 apprenticeship contacts across school districts in Colorado by accessing the Colorado Apprenticeship K12 Contact Directory on the bottom of the page.
Update the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory - Make sure your listing on the Colorado Registered Apprenticeship Program Directory includes information on how to apply to your program. Update your Directory Listing
More resources - Check out more recruitment resources on our website

Resources to Support Your Program and Apprentices

Add Your Program to the Eligible Training Provider List - The Eligible Training Provider List is used by the workforce system to distribute workforce funding. Registered Apprenticeship Programs are able to be added to the list on an opt-in basis. Opting into the ETPL increases access to potential funding for apprentices. Fill out this form to have your RAP added to the ETPL.
Veteran Benefits - Learn more about being added to the GI Bill ® to unlock benefits for apprentices that are veterans by contacting Michael Roberts at the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training.