Colorado is putting $3 million toward building real workforce pipelines—up to $150,000 could fund your apprenticeship program.
The Colorado Apprenticeship Incentive (CAI) Grant isn't just another funding opportunity. It's a chance to connect learners to high-demand careers while building the skilled workforce your industry needs. Whether launching your first Registered Apprenticeship Program or expanding into new occupations, this guide helps you understand the opportunity and prepare a strong application.
Applications open November 1, 2025. Here's what you need to know.
What's the CAI Grant About?
The Colorado Apprenticeship Hub—funded by the U.S. Department of Labor—is distributing $3 million to develop and expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and quality pre-apprenticeships across Colorado.
The basics:
- 20-30 awards of up to $150,000 each
- Application window: November 1-30, 2025 (deadline 11:59 PM MST on Nov 30)
- Grant period: January 2026 through December 2027
- Support included: Every grantee works with a Hub consultant on program design and sustainability
This funding comes from the Apprenticeship Building America initiative, and it's designed to remove the barriers that keep organizations from starting or scaling earn-and-learn programs.
Who Should Apply?
The grant welcomes a broad coalition: employers, industry associations, joint labor-management groups, community organizations, and education providers.
You're eligible if:
- You operate in Colorado and will hire apprentices here
- You're creating a new program or expanding an existing one into new industries or occupations
- You can document partnerships between employers and sponsors (for RAPs) or between pre-apprenticeship providers and existing RAPs
- You're registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and can obtain a SAM UEI
Related instruction providers and intermediaries qualify too—as long as they serve as both sponsor and employer.
One important detail: Apprentices must be W-2 employees in Colorado during the grant period. Pre-apprentices don't need W-2 status, but they do need a clear pathway to a registered apprenticeship.
How the Funding Works
This is a reimbursement grant—you spend first, document everything, then get reimbursed. Like most federal workforce grants, reimbursement typically happens quarterly.
Funding typically releases in stages:
After initial approval and program documentation, most of your awards become available. The final portion will be released once you hit key milestones—completing RAP registration for apprenticeship projects or enrolling your first participant in pre-apprenticeship programs.
This staged approach ensures programs are set up correctly before full funding flows.
What You Can Fund
Grant dollars support program startup and development costs:
- Personnel: Coordinator, time, curriculum development, and administrative support
- Registration costs: Standards development, Affirmative Action Plans, compliance setup
- Training: RTI tuition, train-the-trainer programs, online courses
- Equipment: Training labs, company-owned tools and materials, educational technology
- Curriculum: Development, validation, assessment design
What You Can't Fund
Some costs are off-limits:
- Apprentice or mentor wages
- Personal protective equipment apprentices keep
- Expenses covered by other funding sources
- Most equipment over $5,000
- Food, gifts, and general operating expenses
The Hub provides templates and guidance to help you build a compliant budget that maximizes your investment.
Building a Competitive Application
Not every application gets funded. Here's what reviewers prioritize:
Priority industries get a boost:
- IT, Cybersecurity & AI
- K-12 Teachers
- Care Economy (nursing, ECE, healthcare)
- Affordable Energy
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Public Sector
- Supply Chain, Logistics & Advanced Manufacturing
Competitive edge factors:
- Small business applicants
- Programs in Enterprise Zones (economically distressed/rural areas)
- Multi-employer partnerships
- Substantial equity and access strategies
The non-negotiable: Your sustainability plan. Reviewers want to see how your program continues beyond December 2027. Think employer cost-share, WIOA braiding, tuition models, and institutional commitment. Programs that end when grant dollars run out don't score well.
What Success Requires: Compliance and Reporting
Winning means committing to ongoing accountability.
Quarterly reports track participant enrollment, OJT/RTI hours, competency attainment, wage progression, and partnerships. You'll also need to comply with federal 2 CFR 200 standards—maintaining documentation for reimbursement requests and preparing for potential monitoring.
For RAP projects specifically:
- Meet federal RAP regulations (29 CFR 29 & 30)
- Develop and submit an Affirmative Action Plan
- Register apprentices in RAPIDS (the federal tracking system)
- Maintain approved standards and work processes
For pre-apprenticeship programs:
- Document clear pathways to registered apprenticeships
- Provide hands-on training without displacing workers
- Enable participants to earn credentials or stackable certifications
- Offer supportive services addressing barriers to completion
The good news? The Hub provides consultants, templates, and ongoing guidance. You're not managing this alone.
How Craft Education Helps: From Application to Impact
Here's the reality: Most organizations understand the opportunity but struggle with execution. The administrative lift can overwhelm even the best programs between grant writing, compliance tracking, quarterly reporting, and long-term sustainability.
That's where Craft comes in—and here's why it matters for your budget.
The Platform Advantage
Most apprenticeship management systems cost $3,000-$10,000+ annually. With limited grant dollars and a reimbursement model, those fees add up fast.
Craft Connect is free. Always. No per-user fees, no subscription expiration, no hidden costs.
That means every grant dollar funds what actually matters: training, curriculum, equipment, and apprentice support. Instead of budgeting $20,000-$50,000 for software over the grant period.
Before You Apply: Strategy and Design
Strong applications start with strong programs. We help you:
- Design program standards that meet DOL requirements and score well with reviewers
- Craft compelling narratives around business need, partnerships, and sustainability
- Build realistic budgets aligned to allowable costs
- Position your application for priority industry and competitive advantage points
During the Grant: Compliance Without the Burden
Once funded, Craft Connect handles the infrastructure:
Registration automation: Our AutoReg tool uses AI to guide you through Appendix A and Form 671 creation, generate submission-ready PDFs, and integrate with RAPIDS/WIPS systems.
Real-time tracking: Log OJT/RTI hours, document competency attainment, manage evaluator approvals, and maintain the audit trail—all in one system.
Simplified reporting: Pre-built dashboards track every metric your quarterly reports need. Export audit-ready reports aligned to 2 CFR 200 with a few clicks.
Role-based access: Employers, RTI providers, Hub consultants, and WIOA partners all see what they need—nothing more, nothing less—with FERPA-compliant privacy.
Your team spends less time on spreadsheets and more time supporting apprentices.
Why This Matters
Colorado's $3 million investment isn't just about filling jobs. It's about creating pathways to family-sustaining careers for thousands of people. It's about connecting education systems to workforce systems to employer systems—so learners don't fall through the gaps.
Your apprenticeship program can be part of that. But great ideas need great execution.
Craft Education—powered by Western Governors University—bridges that gap. We provide the strategy, platform, and support that turn ambitious plans into sustainable programs. And we do it without adding software costs to your budget.
The deadline is November 30, 2025. Strong applications take time. Don't wait.
Resources and Next Steps
Learn about the grant:
- Attend an info session: CAI Grant Information Sessions
- Download application materials: RFA, Application Questions, Sample Budget, and Component Forms.
Application questions? Email the Hub at apprenticeship@arapahoegov.com
Partner with Craft Education to Maximize Your Grant
Whether developing your first application or scaling an existing program, Craft Education can help you build a competitive proposal and manage your program for lasting impact.
We offer:
- Strategic grant consulting to strengthen your application
- A free compliance platform that eliminates software costs from your budget
- Ongoing support from the application through sustainability
Ready to get started?
Contact Robert Owens to discuss partnership opportunities:
📧 robert.owens@crafteducation.com
🌐 crafteducation.com/craft-connect
Let's build Colorado's workforce together.
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