Expanding Access, Elevating Opportunity: A Conversation on Apprenticeships

April 22, 2025

The April installment of our Professional Learning Series, “Apprenticeships for All” brought together leaders from across Colorado’s education and workforce landscape to explore how apprenticeships can better support learners on their path to high-value careers. 

A huge thanks to our panelists for sharing their work to expand high-quality apprenticeships and their insights on what it takes to ensure all learners can access and succeed in them: 

And a very special thanks to Daesha Ottem for sharing her insights as an apprentice and now a project engineer at Greiner Electric! 


Discussion Highlights 

Apprenticeship as a Path to a Degree 
Kevin Riebau shared the impact of HB25-1221, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis. The law will allow EGTC to award Associate of Applied Science degrees to registered apprentices. This advancement creates stronger connections between hands-on learning and long-term career advancement.  With more than 11% annual growth in apprentice enrollment, Kevin noted that interest in apprenticeships is higher than ever. EGTC’s offerings include registered apprenticeships in carpentry, electrical work, and voice-data tech—with new programs underway for school food specialists, HVACR, water operations and other high-value careers. 


Supports That Help Apprentices Succeed 

Panelists emphasized that apprenticeships are most effective when learners are supported every step of the way. Supports that can support learners in completing include: 

  • Flexible scheduling 
  • Mentorship and coaching 
  • Career navigation
  • Assistance with childcare, transportation, and housing 


Challenges that Remain

Daesha emphasized the need for clearer up-front information about possible career pathways and available supports. She also shared her experiences revealing gaps in continuity across programs, highlighting the need for collaboration across education and industry to support the success of apprentices. 


The Attainment Network’s Role 
We continue to: 

  • Partner with education and industry to expand access to high-quality apprenticeships 
  • Offer technical assistance and guidance for establishing high-quality apprenticeship programs or pursuing continuous improvement of existing programs 
  • Elevate strategies that center learner success 


Resources 

You can view the PowerPoint slides from the session here, and watch the full recording here. 

Check out some great resources available to those looking to start or improve apprenticeship programs in Colorado: 

🔹 State of Colorado Apprenticeship Resources 
🔹 The Attainment Network – Apprenticeship Toolkit 
🔹 Emily Griffith Technical College – Apprenticeship Programs 


RECENT ARTICLES

San Luis Valley Healthcare Pathways Partnership Meets All Goals

July 13, 2026
Partners are applying the same employer-driven approach to other high-demand careers

New Sessions Added to the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference

July 9, 2026
Dive into Colorado’s Efforts to Build a More Connected Education-to-Career Ecosystem

On the Move in July

July 2, 2026
As our nation celebrates 250 years, we're inspired to keep building toward a future where opportunity is within reach for every learner and earner. Throughout July, The Attainment Network team will join partners across Colorado and the country to strengthen career-connected learning, expand economic mobility, and build systems that help every learner and earner thrive. Here’s where you can find us this July: 🗓️ July 1 🔹 Colorado Space Institute Space Educator Bootcamp Celebration – Castle Rock Emily will join education, industry, and workforce partners to celebrate the Colorado Space Institute’s Space Educator Bootcamp and explore how educators are bringing space science and STEM learning into classrooms across Colorado. 🗓️ July 10 🔹 Regional Accountable Entity 1 San Luis Valley Programs Improvement Advisory Council Meeting – Alamosa Wes will join healthcare providers, community organizations, and regional leaders working together to strengthen healthcare programs and address the social determinants of health across the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ July 13-15 🔹 CU Badge Summit – Boulder Stefan will attend this national convening focused on the future of digital credentials and how they can expand learning and career opportunities. 🗓️ July 14-16 🔹 College Board District Success Network Conference – Denver Rana will serve on a panel exploring how schools can help students connect classroom learning to future college and career opportunities. 🗓️ July 16 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee – Denver The Transition Advisory Committee, including our own Michelle Camacho Liu, reconvenes to continue developing recommendations to guide Colorado's new unified postsecondary talent development system. 🗓️ July 20-21 🔹 ECMC Research Gathering: From Questions to Change – Minneapolis Stefan will join ECMC Foundation partners from across the country to explore how research, policy, and practice can work together to drive meaningful systems change. 🗓️ July 23 🔹 Construction Pathway Meeting – Alamosa Ashley and Wes will reconvene with education, workforce, and industry partners in the San Luis Valley to continue building a shared strategy for strengthening construction career pathways across the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ July 30 🔹 Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants Summer of Fun – Colorado Springs Michelle Payne will connect with accounting professionals, educators, and employers to explore trends in the profession and opportunities to expand mentorship and internship pathways. If you’ll be at one of these events or working on something similar, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.