New Colorado Legislation Links CTE and Apprenticeship Systems

Colorado is a long-time leader in strengthening education and workforce systems. By establishing strong cross-sector partnerships through the years, much progress has been made across the state to break down silos and improve alignment. And now, in the state legislature’s 2024 regular session, Colorado has taken steps to further codify existing work and create a clear path forward toward even stronger systems alignment. A slate of bills have passed that will integrate workforce and education systems and will expand pathways that better support individuals as they transition through K-12, postsecondary, and into the workforce.

Many of these bills emerged from the work and recommendations delivered by the Secondary, Postsecondary and Work-Based Learning Integration Task Force Report as part of the 1215 Task Force. SB1364, for example, will fund the development of a statewide longitudinal data system to track and monitor multiple data sets related to college and career pathways. Data transparency and sharing across systems will establish consistency and will help at a state and local level to assess trends across pathways. This type of system also has the opportunity to improve specific components of pathways, such as work-based learning, which necessitates collaboration and consistency across multiple stakeholders who often prioritize different data indicators.

The Colorado legislature has also passed SB143, which requires the Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE) to develop a framework for evaluating the quality of non-degree credentials, in cooperation with other agencies and industry partners. The Bill also requires the DHE to create a framework to identify equivalencies between non-degree credentials and other credentials offered by the state’s education and workforce systems, including apprenticeships. In doing so, Colorado hopes to increase the value of credentials and learning experiences that take place in non-traditional settings, increasing the overall permeability of the system. This will lift up apprenticeship programs as a flexible, high-quality method of training and fight negative perceptions that, like many states, Colorado faces about postsecondary training that does not include a traditional four-year degree.

While SB143 focuses on aligning degree and non-degree credentials in a common statewide framework, HB1439 works on the employer side to incentivize them through tax credits to employ apprentices. While many employers who hire apprentices, including youth apprentices, see a return on their investment, this type of incentive will strengthen employer engagement even further. Both SB143 and HB1439 brings to light the state’s stance on the importance of apprenticeships. Another bill that has recently passed, SB104, proves this point even further by reverse mapping the pathways into registered apprenticeships and ensuring seamless transitions into these programs through career and technical education (CTE).

SB104 will require Colorado’s state apprenticeship agency, the Office of the Future of Work as part of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and the CTE Division of the Colorado Community College System to work together to build CTE programs in high school and community college that lead into registered apprenticeship programs. To meet industry demand and ensure students are on their way to achieving a livable wage, the legislation emphasizes industries identified in the 2023 Talent Pipeline Report. These industries include advanced manufacturing, infrastructure (which includes all industries related to building infrastructure ranging from construction to IT), education, and healthcare.

By aligning CTE programs and registered apprenticeship programs, the state is ensuring seamless transitions between high school, postsecondary, and career that will lead students from education and training to a good job. This type of alignment not only improves workforce and economic outcomes for the state, but also prevents youth who are interested in these careers from becoming disconnected or disengaged throughout their pathway. By starting in high school, students will have the chance to accelerate through CTE coursework directly related to the competencies of a registered apprenticeship. The state should see an increase in the number of registered apprentices, and also an increased interest in this type of training for youth after successful implementation of this legislation.

The CO legislature appropriated nearly $300,000 toward the implementation of SB104 in FY24-25 and FY25-26. These funds will be used to hire and support two new staff – one at the Department of Labor and Employment and one at the Colorado Community College System. These staff will collaborate closely to develop and align programs, creating a dedicated link across the two systems. This additional capacity is a step in the right direction to ensure both employer voice and education standards are considered in program design and implementation. Staff supported through this bill will develop ready-made materials for teachers and school counselors that communicate a positive message about CTE and apprenticeship programs as a rigorous and worthwhile opportunity to gain meaningful employment with strong job prospects and wages. Staff will also package resources and training for educators so they are equipped to talk about programming to students and families. This level of planning and preparation will build a talent pipeline of right-fit students who can enter the workforce with skills and training that is recognized by employers.

Sarah Heath, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and State Director for Career and Technical Education at the Colorado Community College System, states: "We are thankful for this investment in shaping the future of work. This investment in people to serve as the conveners and the leaders of collaboration between businesses and education will be a game changer for high school educators who have long wanted curriculum validated by industry professionals. The game changer for this curriculum is that it is aligned to a Registered Apprenticeship which will help move a high school student from a learner to a "learner earner". Through the production of this legislation, we will empower an entire generation of high school students with the skills and knowledge vital to thrive in Colorado as part of tomorrow's workforce.”

Through new legislation and existing partnerships, Colorado is well-positioned to continue serving as a national leader in aligning education and workforce systems in the years to come. This includes the work the state is completing through the national Launch initiative, which New America is serving as one of five national partners in. As part of both Innovation and Impact cohorts in the initiative, Colorado is developing a plan for scaling high-quality pathways and also setting the state up for additional incubation and pilots to test new ideas and policies that could expand the field of pathways in the years to come.