Colorado State ScaleUp Grants: Funding for Apprenticeship Program Development and Expansion

Grant Overview

Secure Up to $50,000 to Launch or Grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado, Strengthening Your Workforce and Boosting Local Industry

Donor: Apprenticeship Colorado, Office of the Future of Work (OFW), Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)

About: The State ScaleUp Grants, managed by Apprenticeship Colorado through the Office of the Future of Work (OFW), are a pivotal initiative aimed at bolstering Colorado’s workforce and fostering a more equitable economic future. These competitive financial awards are specifically designed to assist organizations in either establishing new Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) or expanding their current apprenticeship offerings within the state. This program underscores Colorado’s dedication to providing its residents with vital education, skills training, and the necessary tools to fully engage in the labor force. For employers and program sponsors, this grant presents a valuable chance to enhance their capacity-building projects and contribute to a more diverse and robust apprenticeship ecosystem. If your organization is seeking grant opportunities within Colorado, the State ScaleUp Grant could be an excellent match for your objectives.

The fundamental aim of the State ScaleUp Grants is to provide funding for projects that build organizational capacity. This financial backing is intended to help both current and potential RAP employers and sponsors improve their ability to deliver high-quality apprenticeship experiences. Whether your entity is considering implementing apprenticeships for the first time or looking to scale an already successful program, these grants offer crucial resources to achieve significant impact. Exploring various grant categories available on Grantaura can offer additional perspectives on how such funding aligns with broader strategic goals in workforce development and support for businesses.

Empowering Workforce Growth: Core Objectives of the Grant

The State ScaleUp Grants are structured with distinct objectives to widen the scope and effectiveness of Registered Apprenticeship Programs across Colorado. Eligible applicants can direct funding requests towards two main activity streams. Firstly, the grants facilitate the creation of entirely new RAPs, allowing organizations to integrate the proven “earn-and-learn” apprenticeship model into their operational framework. This is especially advantageous for startup enterprises and businesses that are new to the apprenticeship system. Secondly, the program actively promotes the expansion of pre-existing RAPs. Such expansion can manifest in several ways, such as incorporating new occupations into an established program, bringing new employers on board as partners, extending a program’s operational reach to new geographical service areas within Colorado, or increasing the total number of apprentices enrolled.

A primary goal of this initiative is to accelerate the growth and diversify the composition of the Registered Apprenticeship system in Colorado. By disbursing these funds, Apprenticeship Colorado endeavors to forge more accessible pathways to skilled employment for Coloradans and to assist employers in developing sustainable talent pipelines. The program’s emphasis on capacity-building ensures that the positive effects of these grants reach beyond immediate apprentice hires, fostering enduring enhancements within the state’s workforce development landscape, similar to initiatives seen in other states. This aligns with wider efforts to ensure Colorado’s economy is both resilient and inclusive for all its residents.

Determining Your Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

The State ScaleUp Grants are specifically aimed at employers and program sponsors who are dedicated to advancing the apprenticeship model within Colorado. This encompasses organizations that are in the planning stages of developing and officially registering a new RAP, as well as those that currently manage an RAP and are seeking to broaden its scope or increase its participant numbers. A thorough understanding of the specific eligibility requirements is paramount for a successful application. Beyond these foundational prerequisites, applicants are required to clearly demonstrate both the capability and the firm intention to employ apprentices within the state of Colorado, and critically, to hire these apprentices as W2 employees, not as independent contractors. This highlights the program’s strong focus on the creation of legitimate and stable employment opportunities.

Furthermore, a steadfast commitment to enroll a minimum of one apprentice within the initial 12 months of the grant’s designated performance period is a non-negotiable condition. Applicants must also ensure they submit a fully completed application, inclusive of all mandatory attachments, and verify that all itemized proposed expenses are allowable under the detailed grant guidelines. This program is an excellent fit for various institutions and sponsoring entities committed to enhancing their workforce capabilities through structured, high-quality apprenticeship programs. For those exploring similar avenues, reviewing other state-level initiatives, such as the Enthuse Foundation Grant Program which supports specific demographics, might offer complementary insights, even if the focus differs.

Successfully Navigating the Application Process

The application procedure for the State ScaleUp Grants is intentionally comprehensive, ensuring that all funded projects are meticulously planned and fully aligned with the overarching objectives of the program. Prospective applicants are strongly advised to thoroughly review the complete Request for Applications (RFA) document and diligently complete the Pre-Application Checklist prior to initiating and submitting the online application. This preparatory work is fundamental to crafting a robust and competitive submission. Additionally, obtaining a SAM Unique Entity ID is an essential preliminary step in the application journey. This level of diligence is common in many USA funding ready grants.

At Grantaura, we are dedicated to assisting organizations like yours in successfully navigating the often-complex landscape of grant applications. Our experienced team provides specialized grant research services to pinpoint opportunities, such as the State ScaleUp Grant, that precisely match your organization’s unique needs and objectives. We also offer professional grant writing services to help you articulate a compelling narrative and develop persuasive proposals. Our comprehensive application support ensures that all administrative and documentation requirements are meticulously met, including assistance with crucial documents like business plans and financial projections. Partnering with Grantaura can significantly enhance your prospects of securing the funding necessary to achieve your apprenticeship program goals and contribute to a stronger Colorado workforce.

Focus: Registered Apprenticeship Program development, Registered Apprenticeship Program expansion, Capacity-building, Workforce development, Employer support, Sponsor support, Skills training

Region: Colorado, United States

Eligibility:
– Eligible applicants are employers and Sponsors located or operating within the state of Colorado.
– Applicants must intend to either:
— Develop and subsequently register a new Registered Apprenticeship Program(s).
— Expand an existing Registered Apprenticeship Program that they currently offer.
– All applications are required to demonstrate the following to be considered for funding:
— A clear ability and firm intent to employ apprentices within the state of Colorado.
— A clear ability and firm intent to hire all apprentices as W2 employees.
— A binding commitment to enroll at least one apprentice into the program within 12 months from the official start of the grant’s period of performance.
— Submission of a complete application package, which includes all mandated attachments and forms.
— All proposed grant expenses must be allowable as per the guidelines stipulated in the Request for Applications.
– Please note: Organizations that are currently receiving funding through a Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary (QAI) grant are not eligible to apply for this State ScaleUp Grant opportunity.

Benefits:
– Competitive grant awards of amounts up to, but not meeting or exceeding, $50,000 (i.e., up to $49,999.99).
– Financial support for capacity-building projects tailored for current and prospective employers and Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
– Funding to aid in the development and establishment of new Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
– Resources to support the expansion of existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs, which can include:
— Adding new, in-demand occupations to the program.
— Incorporating new employers as partners in the apprenticeship program.
— Extending the program’s services to new geographical areas within Colorado.
— Increasing the number of apprentices participating in the program.

Deadline: May, 21, 2025

Terms:
– Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP): A structured training model, validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (such as Apprenticeship Colorado), that combines paid on-the-job learning with related theoretical instruction, leading to a nationally recognized credential.
– Sponsor: An organization, which can be an individual employer, an association of employers, or a labor-management partnership, that assumes comprehensive responsibility for the administration, operation, and quality of a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
– Capacity-building: Refers to activities and initiatives designed to enhance an organization’s internal capabilities and resources, enabling it to more effectively develop, implement, manage, or expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. This can involve staff development, curriculum enhancement, outreach strategies, and improvements to administrative systems.
– W2 Employee: An individual who is formally hired by an employer where the employer is responsible for withholding income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from the employee’s wages and reports these wages on a Form W-2. This is distinct from an independent contractor who typically receives a Form 1099.
– SAM Unique Entity ID: A 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to all entities (including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies) that intend to do business with the U.S. federal government or apply for federal grants. Registration in SAM.gov is required to obtain this ID.
– Request for Applications (RFA): An official document released by a funding entity, like Apprenticeship Colorado, that announces a grant opportunity and invites eligible organizations to submit proposals. The RFA details the grant’s purpose, eligibility criteria, application instructions, submission deadlines, and evaluation process.