Press Release: Apprenticeship Colorado Seeks Applications for Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants

(DENVER) - Apprenticeship Colorado at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's (CDLE) Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is seeking applications from Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in the Transmission and Distribution Lineworker Trades. The Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants aim to help more Coloradans obtain and retain employment in the sector by absorbing costs associated with career training to meet the demand for upgraded and new electrical distribution systems.

Awards range up to $150,000 and funding must be used to train apprentices as transmission or distribution lineworkers on construction projects and related installations. Funds for the awards originate from Senate Bill 24-218 Modernize Energy Distribution Systems.

Awarded projects will use the funding for training materials or software, apprenticeship tools and supplies, hands-on training equipment or technology updates to expand RAPs that instruct transmission or distribution lineworkers. Projects may also use funds for additional staffing to expand instruction capacity of RAPs to instruct transmission or distribution lineworkers.

Apprenticeship Colorado prioritizes accelerating apprenticeship adoption in in-demand industries like the transmission and distribution lineworker occupations. Under House Bill 24-218, Colorado has goals to reliably reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a variety of sources in a cost efficient way. To achieve these goals, the state will need to rapidly shift customer end uses from fossil fuels to a cleaner electrical grid, which will drive a large increase in electricity demand.

In order to meet these targets and regulations, Colorado's electricity distribution systems must be substantially and strategically upgraded. This funding opportunity aims to increase the capacity of the transmission and distribution lineworker trades, in order to increase the workforce with the necessary expertise to put these upgrades into place.

The Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants intend to supplement funding for RAPs, so they may expand their training capacity to apprentices in the lineworker occupations.

Apprenticeships benefit workers, who are able to earn while they learn. Given that many people cannot afford to quit working in order to pursue training or education, apprenticeships can also help address inequities in the labor market.

Entities that are eligible to apply for the Lineworker Apprenticeship Grants include single or groups of organizations with a documented association (Sponsor, Employer, Related Instruction Provider) with an existing Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Transmission and Distribution Lineworker Trades.

Please visit the Bidnet site containing all grant RFA details to apply. Registration with Bidnet is required.

Informational Webinar

For more information, there will be a webinar to answer questions October 30, 2024 from 3 - 4 p.m. MST via Zoom. Attendance for this conference is optional. Register for this webinar.

Accommodations:

Apprenticeship Colorado values ensuring accessibility for all those who participate in our activities and events. If you need accommodations, please email [email protected] with your request at least five business days before the event date.

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