By Adam Vitcavage
On a night filled with energy, connection, and purpose, Apprenticeship Rising 2025 brought together apprentices, employers, educators, and community leaders to celebrate the transformative impact of youth apprenticeship in Colorado. The event showcased inspiring stories, honored outstanding partners, and reinforced our shared commitment to building the workforce of the future.
One of the most memorable moments came early when U.S. Senator Michael Bennet addressed the audience. Senator Bennet shared, “We need to create an economy that can create a stronger middle class. That starts with kids doing an apprenticeship where they can earn a living wage.” His words echoed the mission we pursue every day—to create opportunity that is both meaningful for young people and essential for a thriving economy.
CareerWise Colorado Executive Director, Xan Pearson, welcomed attendees by reminding us that our work is about people first. This year, we celebrated 42 apprentices completing their programs and welcomed 35 new apprentices just beginning their journeys. Each represents the growing movement of career-connected learning—where young people graduate with direction and businesses gain the talent they need to thrive.
The night was filled with many inspiring apprentice stories that brought the power of apprenticeship to life. Tiffany Yang, a Manufacturing Technician Apprentice at PTA Plastics, shared how starting her career at just 17 gave her hands-on skills and confidence that have carried her through shifting goals from engineering to bioengineering and medicine. A fireside chat between Mercer youth apprentice Chanda Kumar and her supervisor Abdul Ali offered an authentic look at apprenticeship from both perspectives. They spoke openly about the challenges of starting out, the skills developed along the way, and the lasting benefits to both apprentices and employers.
Throughout the night, CareerWise Colorado recognized outstanding partners making a difference in the apprenticeship ecosystem:
CareerWise founder, Noel Ginsburg, closed the evening by reflecting on how a bold idea launched here in Colorado has grown into a national model. Today, youth apprentices across the country are gaining hands-on experience, applying their skills, and making real contributions to businesses. Employers are seeing the value of building their workforce from within by investing in early-career talent.
As the evening wrapped up, guests connected directly with employer partners including Mile High United Way, Denver Public Schools, Mercer, and Craig Hospital. These conversations will continue to strengthen Colorado’s apprenticeship network and open more doors for the next generation.
Apprenticeship Rising 2025 was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. Together, we are building a stronger workforce, expanding opportunity, and shaping a brighter future for Colorado and beyond.
