People entering the job market, re-entering the workforce or considering a career change can often benefit from an apprenticeship. Properly planned, structured and implemented, apprenticeships provide advantages to participants as well as their employers.

If you decide to explore the possibility of offering an apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Colorado offers an excellent place to start looking for information and support.

According to a recent State of Colorado employer newsletter, Apprenticeship Colorado is now recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a state apprenticeship agency (SAA). Apprenticeship is an industry driven, high-quality career pathway in which employers develop future workforces and individuals obtain paid work experience and classroom instruction as well as portable, nationally recognized credentials.

Why participate in or offer an apprenticeship program? Consider this statement from the Apprenticeship Colorado web page. In an economy transformed by technological advances — including automation, artificial intelligence and digitalization — the need for on-the-job learning has become critical. Apprenticeships help workers gain skills and education while earning a paycheck and employers need a reliable workforce pipeline to ensure long-term success.

The SAA has a state apprenticeship council with two committees:

The Committee for Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Trades, which advises the SAA on the building and construction trades.

The Committee for Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries, which advises the SAA on all other industries.

Many of the skills needed to excel in the construction and building trades are best gained through on-the-job experience and training. The same considerations apply to many other industries, especially in such rapidly emerging or expanding fields as artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity and digitalization.

To maintain consistency and value, the Colorado SAA was created to oversee apprenticeship programs, including registration and required standards for compliance, certification, quality assurance, provision of administrative and technical assistance and record-keeping. Knowing the rules and requirements to develop and maintain a qualified apprenticeship program helps in recruiting qualified, eager-to-learn candidates while also meeting state and federal requirements.

For more information, check out the SAA/Apprenticeship Colorado web page located at https://apprenticeship.colorado.gov/about-apprenticeship-colorado.

A few more considerations:

Apprentices aren’t volunteers. They expect and deserve to be paid a reasonable proportion of fully trained employees.

Apprenticeship programs should include assigned mentors, evaluations, individual development plans, job descriptions and milestones so apprentices and employers know their responsibilities and intended outcomes.