Colorado Governor, Jared Polis, declared the week of Sunday, November 8 through Friday, November 13, 2020, as Veterinarian Technician Apprenticeship Week in honor of Community College of Denver's (CCD) newest apprenticeship program.

Launched in August 2020, CCD's Veterinarian technician apprenticeship program is the first US Department of Labor Registered Veterinary Technology Apprenticeship Program in the country. This innovative program will allow students to earn wages while gaining valuable hands-on experience as part of CCD’s two-year Associate Degree program. Students who complete our two-year program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology, a nationally recognized certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor and are prepared to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam. 

Registered Apprenticeship Career Fair

Learn more about the registered apprenticeship opportunities in Colorado by attending this week's National Apprenticeship Career Fair on Thursday, November 12 from 1 - 4:00 p.m.

National Apprenticeship Career Fair
Thursday, November 12 | 1 - 4:00 p.m.

Governor Jared Polis' Proclamation

WHEREAS, Colorado has reimagined “earn while you learn” apprenticeships as a foundation of the State’s continually growing and developing economy and recognizes the vital role apprenticeships provide in creating a qualified and highly-skilled workforce in diverse industries in Colorado and across the nation; and

WHEREAS, apprenticeships play a critical role in Colorado’s economic recovery offering paid training, skill development and connection to key industries and are proven pathways to fulfilling careers in diverse industries such as veterinary technology, which is expected to grow at an above-average rate over the next ten years; and

WHEREAS, for those starting in their careers, apprenticeships offer a high-quality postsecondary option; where students can benefit from apprenticeships with industry-recognized credentials that offer another road to long-term success and provide the education required to develop in-demand skills and the development of a pipeline of skilled workers with industry-specific training and hands-on experience; and

WHEREAS, employers incorporate apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship as an equity-based talent development strategy, to create long-term opportunities for people of color, women, and individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, industry leaders offer apprenticeship opportunities in sectors as diverse as healthcare, construction, skilled trades, information technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, hospitality, and early childhood education fields and at the Community College of Denver where the first US Department of Labor Registered Veterinary Technology Apprenticeship Program in the country started in August 2020; and

WHEREAS, Colorado has become a national leader in work-based learning by identifying high-demand jobs and the skills they require; convening industry sector partnerships to address skills gaps, often by industry-designed apprenticeships leading to credentials and career pathways, and enabling a labor market based on identified skills and meeting the changing demands of Colorado’s economy and job seekers; and

WHEREAS, Colorado’s industries are building apprenticeships at scale for high school students and workers facing mid-career job changes alike, such that Colorado has more than 6,000 apprentices working in over one hundred occupations; and

WHEREAS, we see this future and embrace it, so that Colorado will field a thriving and diverse workforce whose competitive fire will fuel our industries to shine in the global marketplace for years to come;

THEREFORE, I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby proclaim the period between November 8 to November 13, 2020, as

VETERINARIAN TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP WEEK