Press Release: Colorado Apprenticeship Month 2026: Spread the Apprenticeship Effect

(DENVER) - This April, Apprenticeship Colorado and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will celebrate Colorado Apprenticeship Month. In a proclamation signed by Governor Jared Polis, the month-long initiative recognizes Colorado as a national leader in advancing the apprenticeship model and highlights the contribution of businesses, educators, and community partners in creating high-quality Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) across the state. Colorado's Apprenticeship Month activities are meant to raise awareness among career seekers and employers and will culminate with National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) from April 26th to May 2nd, where ApprenticeshipUSA partners from across the country come together to celebrate Registered Apprenticeships.

"Apprenticeships are a valuable way to help students get hands-on experience, earn money while gaining skills, and create pathways to good-paying jobs. Colorado has been leading the way in expanding access to apprenticeships, and connecting Coloradans with the skills employers need. This Apprenticeship Month we celebrate the value apprenticeships create for opportunity seekers, our economy, and our future," said Governor Polis.

"Colorado's success as a national leader in apprenticeship stems from our commitment to collaborating with workforce partners. By bringing together employers, educators, and community partners for apprenticeship, we continue to build sustainable workforce development pathways," said Joe Barela, Executive Director of CDLE. "The state's investment in apprenticeship creates a more resilient, equitable, and skilled Colorado."

Apprenticeship Colorado, Colorado's State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), has continued to grow the apprenticeship system across the state, registering over 100 new programs in 2025. This expansion spans critical industries including healthcare, clean energy, and cybersecurity, ensuring Coloradans have access to high-wage careers in high-demand industries.

"Registered Apprenticeships serve as a powerful bridge between education and career. It breaks down barriers to quality careers by allowing apprentices to earn a wage while they learn," said Melissa English, Interim Director of Apprenticeship Colorado. "By investing in high-quality programs, we are helping Colorado businesses foster mentorship and secure the reliable talent pipelines they need to thrive."

Apprenticeship Colorado continues to focus on developing quality apprenticeship programs and pathways, especially for young people. In 2025, Apprenticeship Colorado helped launch the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center in partnership with CareerWise through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor. The Center serves as a national hub to align apprenticeships and Career and Technical Education (CTE), increases pathways for youth and young adults into apprenticeship, and provides resources to Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries (QAIs) and employers. The project is 100% funded by $12.5 million of federal funds.

"Being an apprentice at TLC Learning Center while studying through Front Range Community College allowed me to learn from incredible mentors and apply what I was learning right away. The experience gave me confidence, real-world skills, and a strong foundation for my career in early childhood education," said Kat Drake-McCoy, a past Early Childhood Educator Apprentice. "I'm proud to continue growing my career with TLC, where I can keep learning, supporting young children, and making a difference every day."

Join the Celebration

During Apprenticeship Month, Apprenticeship Colorado and CDLE will be sharing stories that demonstrate the "Apprenticeship Effect:" how apprenticeship strengthens local economies, increases business productivity, and uplifts communities. Partners and apprentices are encouraged to share how apprenticeships have impacted their lives and organizations. Learn more about how you can get involved with apprenticeships and help spread the "Apprenticeship Effect" during Apprenticeship Month by visiting: apprenticeship.colorado.gov/apprenticeship-events.

Apprenticeship Month Events

Apprenticeship Awards: April 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Join Apprenticeship Colorado and CDLE on April 21 for the eighth annual Colorado Apprenticeship Awards at 5:30 p.m. MST to honor the remarkable contributions of apprentices, mentors, businesses, programs, partners, and champions to Registered Apprenticeship in Colorado. Register for the livestream. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Apprenticeship Career Expo: April 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Apprenticeship Colorado for the Apprenticeship Career Expo in Denver! Registered Apprenticeship Programs and pre-apprenticeships will be attending to talk to students and career seekers about their programs.

By attending the Expo, students and career seekers will be able to…

• Ask questions to apprenticeship representatives to learn about their programs
• Learn how to apply for apprenticeships and what makes a candidate stand out
• Discover the benefits of being an apprentice
• See the variety of career opportunities available across construction, education, healthcare, and more!

The Apprenticeship Career Expo is Tuesday, April 28 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the African American Trade Association (1635 Paris Street, Aurora, CO 80010). Register for the event.

Virtual Apprenticeship Expansion Call: April 27, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Join Apprenticeship Colorado for a special edition of our monthly virtual Apprenticeship Expansion Call, featuring an apprentice panel! Learn more about the apprentice experience and how to improve your program for apprentices. Register for this event.

Apprenticeships Explained for Career Seekers: May 6, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Join us for a 30-minute orientation to Registered Apprenticeship for career seekers. Attendees will learn what a Registered Apprenticeship looks like, including real-world examples, its benefits, and where to find Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. Following the orientation, attendees can opt-in to 1:1 support from our Qualified Apprenticeship Talent Intermediaries. Register for this event.

View more events happening this Apprenticeship Month on the Apprenticeship Events Calendar on Apprenticeship Colorado's website.

About The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's (CDLE) vision is to create a working economy that elevates all of Colorado. In pursuit of this vision, the 1,900-person state agency's eight divisions and four offices help the state's employers and workers prosper: employers benefit from CDLE's work to improve Colorado's talent pipeline, its recruitment assistance, its economic updates and more. The agency helps workers with and without disabilities pursue their career goals through job training, job search assistance and career counseling. CDLE works to help workers, employers and communities thrive by ensuring fair labor practices, providing unemployment and paid family and medical leave insurance, and protecting Colorado communities through consumer protection and safety programs. To learn more, visit cdle.colorado.gov and follow CDLE on LinkedIn.

About Apprenticeship Colorado

Apprenticeship Colorado is the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), housed within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, that is responsible for oversight and registration of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado. Colorado was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship as an SAA effective July 1, 2023. To learn more, visit apprenticeship.colorado.gov.