The University of Colorado Denver Launches Engineering Apprenticeship

With the current state of our country's workforce constantly growing and evolving there is a continued need for work-based learning opportunities throughout the nation. The University of Colorado Denver is taking its first step in building an apprenticeship program of its own as they recently announced its first-ever registered apprenticeship program in their College of Engineering. The program will be built around design and computing providing their students a new pathway into the industry through work-based learning.

This program comes on the heels of Colorado Governor Jared Polis's signing of the “State Apprenticeship Agency” into law showing colorado's dedication to increasing access to “earn-and-learn programs” that have previously helped colorado residents get high-quality jobs as well as build a talent pipeline in the region successfully. In a community like CU Denver’s apprenticeships are used as a powerful tool by participants who are low-income and first-generation college students as this population makes up a large chunk of the universities student body.

“As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and as a state institution, I feel like we have an ethical obligation to help our students find work—and the very best work in their field that they can reach right out of school. “It’s a really great way for us as a minority-serving institution to lean into workforce development and ensure our diverse student body is getting the very best opportunities that we can offer them.”

Molly Thompson, Associate Director of Business Relationships and Development at University of Colorado Denver

The new registered apprenticeship program will provide learning experiences in construction management as well as user experience design. These two industries are increasingly growing and are in dire need of workers due to the ongoing skilled worker shortage. The programs will be open to all students working toward a CEDC bachelor’s degree, regardless of their GPA, as long as they’ve taken base-level courses.

This initiative follows CU Denver's future goals outlined in their 2030 strategic plan where they hope to become the first equity serving institution in the area as well as to be known as an institution that prepares their students for life outside of college. Apprenticeships can help provide an alternative pathway for participants by directly connecting them to employers and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their industry of choice.