Apprenticeships

Based on guidelines from the USDOL there are five basic components of an apprenticeship.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Centura Health and Arapahoe Community College are partnering to provide a Pre-Apprenticeship program in Allied Health fields. This one-of-a-kind opportunity allows students from participating high schools (see list below) to learn about various roles that are vital to the healthcare industry.

The Pre-Apprenticeship program includes a concurrent enrollment course (HPR 123: Intro into Healthcare) and job shadowing experiences in the following occupations:

• Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
• CNA
• Sterile Processing
• Surgical Technician
• Phlebotomist
• Medical Lab Technician
• Medical Assistant
• Radiology Technician

Shadow rotations will take place on a bi-weekly basis. The HPR 123 course provides foundation standards including health maintenance, employability skills, teamwork, healthcare systems, communications, and legal issues in healthcare through classroom, online and shadowing experiences provided through ACC and Centura Health partnering with Littleton Public Schools (LPS) and Douglas County School Districts (DCSD). Participation in this program is an opportunity to enter the various ACC Allied Health Programs and or apprenticeship opportunities through Centura Health.

Pre-Apprenticeship Intro into Health Care Application Process

• Complete the ACC application for acceptance to college.
• Complete a Criminal Background Check through ACC. View disqualifying events information.
  Please note: Criminal background checks require a fee and the applicant's social security number. Should the background check reveal any disqualifying factors.
• Obtain the required vaccinations (Upload your documentation)
  • Fall and Spring students must have the current seasonal flu vaccine (generally available September 1)
  • Documentation of at least 2 Hepatitis B vaccinations or immunity. View additional information about the Hepatitis B vaccine.
  • Documentation of 2 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccines or immunity. Find additional information about the MMR vaccine.
  • Documentation of 2 Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines or immunity.
  • Documentation of Tdap vaccine within 10 years. Get additional information about the Tdap vaccine.
  • Documentation of negative TB by one of the following methods (Must be done within the last 12 months)
    • Negative results from a Tuberculin Skin Test (TB)
    • Negative chest x-ray with a previous positive TB test
    • Negative TB blood test, QuantiFERON® or T-SPOT®
• Attend and HPR 123 Orientation before the semester starts. Students who do not attend the orientation are at risk for being asked to drop the program.
• Review the HPR-123 Program Guide.

Participating High Schools

 The Pre-Apprenticeship program is open to juniors and seniors at the following schools:

• Douglas County High Schools
  • Castle View High School
  • Chaparral High School
  • Clover Leaf Home Enrichment School
  • Douglas County High School
  • eDCSD
  • Highlands Ranch High School
  • Legend High School
  • Mountain Vista High School
  • Ponderosa High School
  • Rock Canyon High School
  • Thunder Ridge High School
• Littleton Public High Schools
  • Arapahoe High School
  • Heritage High School
  • Littleton High School
  • LPS Options
  • Voyager

Contact your high school counselor for information on how to enroll or contact:

Pamela Thompson, MSN, RN
Director Allied Health
303.797.5098
pamela [dot] thompson [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

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.

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

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.

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