§ 24-46.3-503. Strengthening Photovoltaic and Renewable Careers (Sparc) Workforce Development Program – Creation – Use of Funds

1. There is created in the department the strengthening photovoltaic and renewable careers (SPARC) workforce development program as an initiative of the department, the state council, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and the department of higher education.
2. The purpose of the SPARC program is to create capacity for and bolster training, apprenticeship, and education programs in the energy sector career pathway to increase employment in the energy sector, prioritizing in-demand and growing occupations in the energy sector, where insufficient training, education, and apprenticeship programs exist to meet growing demand. The SPARC program will capitalize on the components of the energy sector career pathway, including competency-based education and assessment, modularized curricula, integrated credit and noncredit programs, stacked and latticed credentials, apprenticeship programs, and comprehensive, personalized student support and career guidance.
3. In any state fiscal year in which the general assembly appropriates money for the SPARC program, the department, the state council, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and the department of higher education shall use the money appropriated to expand the capacity of training programs and for the following purposes, as applicable, to support apprenticeships, training, and education in the energy sector career pathway:
   1. Career and training counseling;
   2. Career and academic exploration and planning;
   3. Scholarships;
   4. Employer-provided training;
   5. Apprenticeships;
   6. Career and technical education;
   7. Work-based training opportunities;
   8. Need-based services;
   9. Transportation;
   10. Equipment and supplies;
   11. Retention services;
   12. Training program development and implementation;
   13. SPARC program implementation and administration, including reporting activities; and
   14. Other purposes as determined by the department, the state council, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and the department of higher education that achieve the purposes of this part 5.
4. Subject to available appropriations, the department, in consultation with the state council, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and the department of higher education, shall determine the amount of funding allocated for the purposes described in subsection (3) of this section for public institutions of higher education in Colorado, local workforce development areas, and other partners, including community-based nonprofit organizations. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department, the state council, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and the department of higher education, as well as expenditures of money from the fund, are not subject to the provisions of the “Procurement Code”, articles 101 to 112 of this title 24.
5. 1. SPARC program activities or expenditures authorized pursuant to this part 5 must not:
      1. Circumvent any statutory requirements related to the acquisition of a plumbing or electrical license or the professional practice act of either the plumbing or electrical industry or any statute that specifically defines any renewable energy work as within the scope of licensed plumbers or electricians or properly supervised apprentices; or
      2. Circumvent any established industry standard for on-the-job training requirements or classroom education requirements of the established Colorado apprenticeship programs registered through the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship training or a state apprenticeship council recognized by that office.
   2. To the extent possible, the SPARC program must support activities that support participation in Colorado apprenticeship programs registered through the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship training or a state apprenticeship council recognized by that office and prioritize programs that seek to help workers attain a professional credential, an industry standard certification, or a professional license.

Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1149), ch. 247, p. 1346, § 2, effective June 16.