The Colorado Healthcare Experiential Pathways to Success (CO-HELPS) program will leverage a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and over a five million dollar match from businesses to create 5,000 adult healthcare apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships between July 2019 and July 2023.
In partnership with the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC), CCCS colleges, Emily Griffith Technical College, Aims Community College, and Colorado State University will work with business and industry to design a curriculum that meets the needs of today’s growing healthcare system.
Initial industry partners include the following: Centura Health, Colorado Rural Health Center, HealthONE, Kaiser Permanente, National Healthcareer Association, and UCHealth.
Of the $12 million award, CCCS was awarded an approximately $9 million dollar sub-award to invest in the following three areas:
- Program Development and Maintenance –Funding to established educational partners to develop, launch, implement, and scale healthcare apprenticeships
- Small Business Wage Reimbursements – Funding to companies to offset apprentice on-the-job-training wages for companies smaller than 50 employees
- Apprentice Support Services – Funding managed through the participating colleges to provide apprentices with support services that might impede participation in an apprenticeship (such as transportation or childcare)
Recent Highlights:
Program development/maintenance applications have launched, with awards supporting the following occupations and partnerships:
- Medical Assistant– Arapahoe Community College and Front Range Community College and Centura Health, including expansion into Western Kansas; Arapahoe Community College with HealthONE
- Patient Care Technician– Community College of Aurora and HealthONE
- Pharmacy Technician– Front Range Community College and Centura Health
- Sterile Processing Technician– Front Range Community College and Centura Health
- Health Information Technology: Medical Coder– Pueblo Community College, Colorado Mental Health Institute, Pueblo Community Health Center, and others.
Targeted Occupations:
Twenty-eight occupations have been identified as targeted occupations for the CO-HELPS grant, with additional occupations being considered based on employer regional demand.
| Diagnostic Services Career Pathway | Health Informatics |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (Ultrasound Tech) | Health Information Technicians |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | Medical Transcriptionists |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | Health Services Managers |
| Phlebotomists | Medical Coders |
| Radiologic Technologists | Medical Transcriptionists |
| Radiologic Technicians | Occupational/Physical Therapists |
| Medical Equip. Preparers (Sterile Processing Tech) | Occupational Therapy Aid |
| Nursing | Occupational Therapy Assistants |
| Nurse Practitioners | Physical Therapist Assistants |
| Registered Nurses | Physical Therapy Aid |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Massage Therapists |
| Nursing Assistants | Dental |
| Home Health Aides | Dental Assistant |
| Non-pathway Occupations Targeted | Dental Hygienists |
| Pharmacy Technicians | Dental Lab Technician |
| Medical Assistants | |
| Physical Assistants |
Is your college interested in getting started or expanding apprenticeship programs? Get started by emailing workforce@cccs.edu