
Apprenticeships
ACC’s Apprenticeship programs are unique programs combine customized related technical instruction with structured on-the-job learning experiences with our employer partners.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an employer-driven teaching / learning model that allows individuals to become employees of a company and ‘earn while they learn’ through paid on-the-job-training (OJT) and related technical instruction (RTI). The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has three classifications for apprenticeships. Those classifications are time based, competency based and a hybrid of consisting of both time-based and competency based.
Apprenticeships require a minimum of 2000 hours of OJT conducted by an employer partner and a minimum of 144 hours of RTI provided by ACC.
Learn more about the basic components of an apprenticeship and also for the what to expect.
Basic Components of an Apprenticeship
Based on guidelines from the USDOL there are five basic components of an apprenticeship.
Business and Education Involvement and Partnership
Employers are the foundation of every apprenticeship program. They play an active role in building the program and remain involved every step of the way.
Structured On-the-Job Training
Apprenticeships always include an on-the-job-training (OJT) component. Apprentices receive hands-on training from an experienced mentor at the job site. OJT focuses on the skills and knowledge an apprentice must learn during the program to be fully proficient on the job. This training is based on national industry standards, customized to the needs of the particular employer.
Related Technical Instruction
One of the unique aspects of apprenticeships is that they combine on-the-job learning with related technical instruction (RTI) on the technical and academic competencies that apply to the job. Education partners collaborate with business to develop the curriculum, which often incorporates established national-level skill standards. ACC provides the RTI for all of the apprenticeships provided by the college. The instruction could be either credit baring or non-credit training, or a mixture of both.
Rewards for Skill Gains
Apprentices receive wages when they begin work, and receive pay increases as they meet benchmarks for skill attainment. This helps reward and motivate apprentices as they advance through their training.
Nationally-Recognized Credential
Every graduate of a USDOL apprenticeship program receives a nationally-recognized credential. This is a portable credential that signifies to employers that apprentices are fully qualified for the job. In addition to this credential, apprentices will often earn industry certifications.
What are some things to expect from apprentices and the program?
Individuals who are interested in participating in an apprenticeship program should expect to attend an informational session to learn more about the program. These informational sessions are hosted approximately two months prior to the program start date and will have information in regards to how to the application and selection process.
Once apprentices are selected for a program, there are a wide variety of experiences, but for most apprentices they have little to no background or experience in the field.
Apprenticeship Programs are supported by a minimum of three partners that ensure the success of the apprentice – Employer partners, ACC instructors and staff, and local Workforce Center staff. ACC and local Workforce Center staff provide wrap around services and support for apprentices. Because apprentices become ACC students there are a wide-variety of learning and wrap around resources available to them. If they qualify for local Workforce Center support their level of services can increase and include funding for the program, transportation or child care assistance. In addition to this partner support, the program was designed in a cohort format allowing for apprentices to learn from and support one another.
These Programs are intensive, rigorous, and competency based and require apprentices to be committed to both an educational program and work.
ACC Pre-Apprenticeships
Public Health Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Taking the Next Step Towards a Career as a Health Professional
Have you been trained or are currently working to contain the COVID-19 virus as a case investigator, contract tracer or resource coordinator? Have you enjoyed this role and would like to continue working in the health care industry? The Public Health Pre-Apprenticeship program would be a perfect fit for you!
The Program
The pre-apprenticeship program includes training for positions in the containment of COVID-19, access to online career exploration modules in health care professions, and one-on-one career counseling. If you complete a Basic Life Saver (BLS) certification course and all components of the pre-apprenticeship program, you have the possibility to earn college credit that could apply towards a health care certificate or degree program too!
Benefits
You will receive career exploration and career counseling while training to be one of three occupations that are key to the coronavirus containment, which are:
- Case Investigators reach out to individuals testing positive for COVID-19 with information about quarantine and to gather information about other individuals who may have been exposed.
- Contact Tracers communicate with those individuals likely exposed to let them know what precautions they should take to avoid unintentional spread of the virus.
- Resource Coordinators work with individuals who may need support connecting with services and resources if they are infected with the virus or asked to quarantine because of exposure to a positive case.
While some of these roles will be ongoing, most will have shorter timeframes to cover the COVID-19 containment period. This is why it is important that you begin to think about other job opportunities in health care beyond this timeframe. The community colleges will offer free online career exploration modules for you to complete while doing or after you finish the COVID-19 containment training.
You can also earn three free credits for HPR 100 at the Community College of Denver upon completion of the trainings in one of the three COVID-19 containment occupations, completion of all of the career modules, completion of a BLS certification course, and meeting with a workforce navigator from one of the community colleges. In addition, more community college academic credit may be available for your training time and working in one of the three COVID-19 containment occupations. The Workforce Navigators can provide more information on college credits in your one-on-one career counseling session.
Careers
Our online career exploration modules will cover the following healthcare career pathways:
- Nursing
- Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Nurse Aide
- Occupational and Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Medical Records
- Health Information Technology
- Health Informatics
- Billing and Coding
- Behavior Health
- Psychiatric Technician
- Respiratory Therapist
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Lab Science
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Lab Technology
- Dental
- Dental Hygiene
- Dental Assisting
- Surgical Technology
- Radiologic Technology
- EMT/Paramedicine
- Sterile Processing
- Nutrition
- Certified Dietary Manager
- Dietetic Technician
This free pre-apprenticeship program is a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center (RMPHTC), The Public Health Workforce Collaborative, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), Arapahoe Community College (ACC) and the Community College of Denver (CCD).
Enroll Today!
Register for the Self-Paced Colorado Public Health Workforce Collaborative Training and Career Pathways*
*This will register you for the full self-paced modules including Contact Tracing, Case Investigation, Resource Coordination, and Dr. Justina Tracing Software System as well as Career Pathways.
For more information or accommodations:
Visit RMPHTC
Arapahoe Community College
Keysha Boggess,303-797-5234
keysha [dot] boggess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Shao Yeung,303-797-5723
shao [dot] yeung [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Community College of Denver
Jaime Treadwell, 303.352.6955
jaime [dot] treadwell [at] ccd [dot] edu
Voletha Bradley,303.352.3322
voletha [dot] bradley [at] ccd [dot] edu
ACC Apprenticeships
Community Association Manager Apprenticeship Program
Community Association Institute (CAI) has partnered with Arapahoe Community College (ACC) to develop a new Community Association Manager Apprenticeship Program. This program has been designed to attract new talent to the industry through a unique earn while you learn model. ACC will be the sponsor of this registered apprenticeship under the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).
Related Technical Instruction
The USDOL requirement is 144 hours of instruction. ACC is providing the RTI. It will consist of 5 semesters of online and hybrid coursework while the apprentices are working at least 32-40 hours a week. The average amount of time spent on coursework each week is at least 4 hours and could be as much as 10 hours. Apprentices that successfully complete the program will earn their CMCA and AMS
certifications. ACC Business Administration Certificate, and a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificate.
Structured On-the-Job Learning (OJL)
The USDOL requirement for this apprenticeship is at least 2000 hours of OJL. The OJL will be provided by industry partners of CAI. Apprentices are required to work a minimum of 32-40 hours per week at their OJL site under the supervision and guidance of an apprenticeship mentor. Apprentices are hired in as new entry level professionals at each OJL site.
Rewards for Skills Gained
The USDOL requires a reward for skills gained component for each apprenticeship program. Apprentices must earn between $15-$21 an hour throughout the program with a minimum wage progression of $1.00 an hour as they earn their credentials.
Sample Schedule
Semester 1
- Introduction to Community Association Management
- Test Prep for Industry Certification CMCA
- Leadership in Community Association Management
- BUS 115 - Introduction to Business
- MAR 160- Customer Service
Semester 2
- Leadership in Community Association Management
- Apprentice takes CMCA Exam
- CIS 118 - Introduction to PC Applications
- MAR 216 - Principles of Marketing
Semester 3
- Leadership in Community Association Management
- BUS 217 - Business Communication & Report Writing
- MAN 226 - Principles of Management
Semester 4
- Leadership in Community Association Management
- Industry Certification Prep for AMS Certification
- ACC 101 - Fundamentals of Accounting
- BUS 216 - Legal Environment of Business
Semester 5
- Leadership in Community Association Management
- Industry Certification Prep for Industry Certification.
- Apprentice Takes AMS Exam
CAI Industry Partners Responsibility Checklist
- Participate in the selection process of hiring apprentices.
- Hire apprentices as new entry level professionals / apprentices and provide all benefits that are typically offered at this level.
- Provide at least one mentor for every two apprentices at each location.
- Provide an hourly wage for each apprentice between the range of $15-$23 an hour throughout the entire apprenticeship program.
- Optional contribution of tuition assistance per apprentice each semester for a portion of the RTI. This contribution will be matched dollar for dollar from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI).
Apprentice Recruitment and Onboarding Timeline
- Community Association Manager Apprenticeship position posted
- Prospective apprentices attend a virtual information session. Hosted on June 3rd, 6-7:30pm; June 9th, 12-1:30pm; June 17th, 12-1:30pm.
- Prospective apprentices apply for the Community Association Manager
Apprentice position. - Community Association Manager Apprenticeship application closes on July 8, 2020.
- Industry Partners interview applicants on July 10 & 13, 2020
- Offers extended from Industry Partners to applicants by August 1, 2020.
- Community Association Manager Apprenticeship Orientation and Onboarding
the week of August 10 – 21, 2020.
Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program
The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a six-month program that prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Healthcareer Association. Apprentices will be hired by Centura Health as Medical Assistant apprentices while completing their medical assistant training through Arapahoe Community College. Once you have completed your training you will be hired on full-time at a Centura Health facility as a Medical Assistant. The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a competency-based program that will prepare you to become a Medical Assistant in various healthcare settings and take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.
This program is a federally registered Department of Labor apprenticeship program sponsored by ACC. You must attend a program orientation, complete a program application and be hired by a participating healthcare organization in order to be admitted to this program. If you participate in this program, you have the option to receive the ACC Medical Assistant Certificate, the CCMA certification, and a federal Department of Labor apprenticeship certificate.
Application Process
- Apply to the Centura Health Apprenticeship program or apply to the HealthOne Apprenticeship program (coming in May 2020)
- Once you've been accepted to a Medical Assisting Apprenticeship program, apply to ACC
- Provide Standardized test results (ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT scores)
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid
- Contact your local Workforce Center
About the Program
What will this apprenticeship get you?
CCMA Certification and employment as a Medical Assistant at Centura
Is there a cost?
$5,400
What are the qualifications/requirements?
High School diploma/ GED – ACT/SAT scores or ACCUPLACER results
How long is the apprenticeship?
6-month apprenticeship program
Who do you contact?
Shao Yeung | 303.797.5723 | shao [dot] yeung [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Property Management Apprenticeship Program
The Apartment Association of Metro Denver (AAMD) has partnered with Arapahoe Community College (ACC) to develop a new Property Management Apprenticeship. This program has been designed to attract new talent to the industry through a unique earn while you learn opportunity. ACC is providing the related technical instruction, and it will consist of 5 semesters of online and hybrid coursework while the apprentices are working at least 32-40 hours a week.
Once you successfully complete the program, you will earn their NALP credential, CAM credential, and ACC Business Administration Certificate. As an apprentice, you will be required to work a minimum of 32-40 hours per week at their employer under the supervision and guidance of an apprenticeship mentor.
Apprentices are hired in as new entry level Leasing Professionals at each employer. Apprentices have the earning and benefit potential of $16-$25 an hour throughout the program with a minimum wage progression of $1.00 an hour as they earn their NALP and CAM credentials.
Water Operator Apprentice Program
The Water Operator Apprenticeship is a 2-year program that allows you to experience the hands-on, technical skills of water operations while earning a water operator certification and gaining college credit. Each semester, as an apprentice, you will experience a different facet of utility operations: water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment.
- Two-year apprenticeship at Castle Rock Water
- Paid, part-time employment, up to 30 hrs/wk
- 50 percent tuition reimbursement available
- In conjunction with the Associate of Science degree at Arapahoe Community College
What is a Water Operator?
Careers in the water profession vary from analysts to mechanics to engineers to plant operators. A plant operator is responsible for taking in raw water, purifying it through a variety of treatment processes and ensuring distribution throughout the entire community. Water operators also take water that has been used in homes and businesses and collect it for treatment before it is reused or discharged back into the stream. For Castle Rock Water, this means managing 5 water plants, 67 wells, 14 water tanks, 379 miles of service lines, 22,000 customer connections and 3 billion gallons of water per year.
Application Process
- Attend an informational session
- Complete the ACC application
- Provide standardized test results (ACCUPLACER, SAT or ACT scores)
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid
- Contact your local Workforce Center
- Complete an online application for Water Operator Apprenticeship program
Apprenticeship Interest Form
Earn While You Learn - Community Association Manager Apprenticeship Program Info Sessions
ACC has partnered with the Community Association Institute Rocky Mountain Chapter (CAI-RMC) to provide an amazing "Earn While You Learn" opportunity! This apprenticeship program is designed for students who are interested in Community Association Management to explore a career as a Community Association Manager. This is a paid apprenticeship program with the potential of tuition reimbursement.
Join us for a virtual information session on either Wednesday, April 21 from 6-7:30pm; April 22 from 9-10:30am; May 1 from 9-10:30am; May 5 in-person from 6-7:30pm; or May 12 from 12pm to learn about becoming a Community Association Manager.
