(Denver) – Together with Apprenticeship Colorado and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Governor Jared Polis has proclaimed April 30th as Apprenticeship Day. This national observance, which has traditionally been held in November, now shifts to Spring to highlight the flourishing landscape of Registered Apprenticeship Programs throughout Colorado.
National Apprenticeship Day recognizes the powerful impact these earn-while-you-learn programs have on both workforce development and economic growth in our state. Registered Apprenticeships create pathways to rewarding careers while helping Colorado businesses build skilled talent pipelines in diverse industries - from traditional trades to emerging sectors like healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing.
"Apprenticeships provide individuals with in-demand skills and businesses with a pipeline of talented employees, making them a cornerstone of Colorado's economic future," said CDLE Executive Director Joe Barela. "On National Apprenticeship Day, we recognize the individuals and organizations that champion and work towards the apprenticeship model."
Colorado is proud to be a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), taking local ownership of the registered apprenticeship system while maintaining alignment with national standards. As an SAA state, Colorado can tailor apprenticeship programs to address its unique workforce needs while ensuring apprentices earn nationally recognized credentials. This state-led approach allows Apprenticeship Colorado to be more responsive to Colorado employers, create innovative pathways in emerging industries, and build stronger connections between education and business communities across diverse regions.
"Registered Apprenticeships are more than a workforce strategy—they're a transformative pathway to economic mobility," said Apprenticeship Colorado Director Denise Miller. "As we expand into new and emerging industries, we're breaking down barriers, connecting talent with opportunity, and reimagining how Colorado builds its future workforce."
On National Apprenticeship Day, Apprenticeship Colorado and CDLE will be highlighting resources, content, and events designed to increase awareness of the benefits of creating, registering, and expanding registered apprenticeship programs on the Apprenticeship Colorado website and across social media.
Note that the Colorado Apprenticeship Month & Awards Celebration typically held in November, will be held again in April 2026.
Apprenticeship Day Events:
Apprenticeships: The Best Kept Secret Webinar, April 30, 9 - 10 a.m. MST
Join us and our partners at Colorado Springs School District 11th for a hybrid webinar to hear from Sponsors, employers, and their youth apprentices about the best-kept secret: apprenticeships! In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, we're bringing together the innovators and changemakers who are transforming career pathways for students. Livestream the Apprenticeships: The Best Kept Secret event on YouTube.
For more information on Apprenticeship Day events and resources, including a calendar of events and a social media toolkit, visit the Apprenticeship Colorado website and follow Apprenticeship Colorado on LinkedIn!
Employers interested in learning more about developing a Registered Apprenticeship Program are encouraged to reach out to the Apprenticeship Colorado Team, who can provide information and guidance on developing a Registered Apprenticeship Program of your own.
About Apprenticeship Colorado
Apprenticeship Colorado is the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in Colorado, which is responsible for the oversight and registration of Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.