Colorado Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program Addresses Skilled Trade Shortage
The Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Program is actively working to address the skilled trade worker shortage in the United States, which has left between 1.4 million to 2.1 million jobs unfilled. Located in Denver's Globeville neighborhood, the program offers a four-year curriculum that focuses on specific job skills and provides necessary equipment for students to enter the workforce. The program is supported by companies and nonprofits, such as Prosperity Denver, which offer stipends to students, allowing them to earn while they learn. Brandi Tafoya, a former apprentice, now serves as an instructor, helping to train the next generation of skilled workers. The program not only benefits the students but also strengthens families and employers, impacting the entire community. 
