We are excited to announce a major milestone for the CareerPlus Apprenticeship Program: CareerPlus is now officially registered with the State of Colorado! This achievement marks an important step in expanding career-connected learning and creating more opportunities for local businesses to develop and retain a skilled workforce.

Through CareerPlus, Vail Valley Partnership (VVP) works directly with local businesses to build apprenticeship programs that provide employees with structured, on-the-job training combined with related instruction and industry-recognized skills. Registered apprentices earn a paycheck while gaining valuable experience and working toward a nationally recognized credential.

CareerPlus currently has registered apprenticeship programs in several high-demand occupations:

• Central Sterile Processing Technician – Vail Health, with 1 registered apprentice
• Inventory Specialist – Vail Health, with 2 registered apprentices
• HVACR Technician – R&H Mechanical
• Early Childhood Educator – Family Learning Center & Mountain Tots, with 2 registered apprentices

This progress demonstrates what is possible when local businesses, education, and workforce partners come together to create career pathways right here in the Vail Valley.

Why Partner with Vail Valley Partnership?

Developing a Registered Apprenticeship Program can feel like a significant undertaking, but businesses do not have to navigate the process alone. Vail Valley Partnership provides hands-on support to help businesses develop, register, and launch apprenticeship programs that meet their specific workforce needs.

Partnering with VVP can help businesses:

• Build a stronger talent pipeline by developing employees with the exact skills their business needs.
• Recruit and retain employees by providing a clear pathway for career growth and advancement.
• Develop future leaders through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
• Increase employee engagement and retention by investing in employees’ long-term success.
• Earn industry-recognized credentials that validate an apprentice’s skills and experience.
• Access potential funding and incentives that can help offset eligible training and apprenticeship costs.
• Strengthen the local workforce by creating meaningful career opportunities for students and adults in our community.

Registered Apprenticeships are more than a training program—they are an investment in the future of our businesses and our community. As CareerPlus continues to grow, VVP is excited to partner with more local employers to create innovative pathways into high-demand careers.

Interested in starting an apprenticeship program at your business? Vail Valley Partnership can help you explore what an apprenticeship could look like for your organization and guide you through the registration process.

If you’re interested in learning more, your next step is to fill out this form, and we will reach back out to you: https://form.jotform.com/251055264503045

Together, we can build a stronger workforce and create more opportunities for people to build successful careers right here in the Vail Valley.