Skill Advance Colorado

Access Colorado Training Grant Funds and partner with ACC to ensure your workforce is ready to succeed.

Train Your Workforce

By securing grants through the Colorado First and Existing Industry Customized Job Training Programs, you can ensure your workforce has the training they need to succeed—and ensure your company remains competitive. Before applying, we encourage you to reach out to ACC to discuss your eligibility. Emily [dot] Martini [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Email us) or call us at 303.895.5069.

Colorado First and Existing Industry Grant Program

By providing grants to existing companies as well as those that are locating to or expanding in Colorado, the Colorado First and Existing Industry Customized Job Training Programs support Colorado’s workforce development. Reimbursing job training costs increases transferable job skills that not only benefit workers, but also help companies to be competitive for the long term.

The Existing Industry program focuses on helping established Colorado companies remain competitive within their industry, adapt to new technology, and prevent layoffs.

The Colorado First program assists with training funds for new hires for companies that are relocating or expanding in Colorado.

Both programs are jointly administered by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and managed through participating colleges, including ACC.

Visit the CCCS or OEDIT websites to learn more.

Grant Application Criteria

Before applying for a grant, we encourage you to contact ACC to discuss your eligibility. Here is the application criteria:

• Maximum grant awards are $1,400/FTE for Colorado First and $1,200/FTE for Existing Industry per learner.
• Grant-funded training must be for permanent, full-time, non-seasonal, non-retail positions in Colorado, which have significant career opportunities and require substantive instruction.
• Grants are only awarded to companies that meet a sustainable wage threshold: in urban areas; employers must pay an average wage of at least $13.50/hour; average wage in rural areas must be at least $10/hour.
• All grant-funded training must be customized to meet specific company needs.
• Applicant companies must contribute a minimum of 40% of the total training costs, which may be in-kind.
• An on-site visit of the applicant company is required.