Creating Talent Pipelines For Colorado Businesses - What Having Apprentices Means to Me
November is Colorado Apprenticeship Month when businesses, communities, and educators across the state come together to showcase their apprenticeship programs. This celebration highlights apprentices and their contributions and provides valuable insights for career seekers about the apprenticeship pathway.
In 2020, I hired my first registered apprentice. Before that, I had the privilege of hosting interns, which was rewarding for the interns and my organization. However, hiring a registered apprentice through CareerWise Colorado was a game-changer. It elevated our return on investment—not only for us but also for the apprentice. Together, we created opportunities beyond our organization, supporting the apprentice's career pathway and benefiting the wider community.
Today, finding qualified early-career talent is becoming increasingly expensive, competitive, and time-consuming. CareerWise Colorado offers an effective talent solution that supports companies across various industries and sizes.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with several apprentices who were hired as CWDC Project Management Apprentices. By the end of their three-year program, they are fully qualified for professional project management associate roles, complete with hands-on experience and an industry-recognized credential.
Working with apprentices requires an initial investment of time, especially as an employer, supervisor, coach, and mentor. Since most apprentices begin as high school juniors or seniors, we focus on the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Continuum, emphasizing “learning at work.” I always prioritize their schooling while treating them as professionals from day one to help develop their skills and confidence.
The onboarding and hiring processes align with our standard organizational practices, and CareerWise provides substantial support with recruiting, vetting, and preparing both apprentices and their mentors for success.
By the third year, apprentices contribute at a level you expect from professional staff, bringing valuable skills and insights to our organization.
If I have piqued your interest, consider exploring CareerWise Colorado(opens in new window) or our state's Apprenticeship Colorado(opens in new window) office to learn how to strengthen your talent pipeline and make a difference in a young person's career.