Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship

One of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship is it allows employers who are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace engage in a structured approach to achieving their goal. As part of the registration process, program Sponsors work with the Apprenticeship Colorado team to develop customized plans for their program. The Apprenticeship Colorado team provides ongoing, complimentary 1-1 support, resources, and partner connections to help programs achieve their goals. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations require Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to ensure that their outreach to, and recruitment of, apprentices extends to all persons available for apprenticeship within their recruitment area – without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), genetic information, disability, or age. In addition to federal the EEO in apprenticeship guidelines, Colorado apprenticeship employers must abide by the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act which protects an apprentice or apprenticeship applicant from discrimination based on creed, gender expression, ancestry, childbirth (or related conditions), or, in certain circumstances, marriage to a coworker. Note these protected classes are in addition to those identified nationally by the US Department of Labor in 29 CFR 30.