Coloradans interested in careers in nursing, firefighting or construction can now receive a free community college education as part of a $38.6 million state program launched this week that officials hope will shepherd thousands of workers into high-demand industries.

The Colorado legislature approved the program — now dubbed Career Advance Colorado — in late April, building upon a similar, health care-specific training effort passed in 2022. This latest iteration, launched by Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday, covers tuition, books, and other fees at 19 community and technical colleges statewide for students pursuing credentials in education, construction, law enforcement, nursing, forestry and firefighting.

The programs generally take six months to two years to complete, depending on the field. The goal is to incentivize more Coloradans to pursue careers in industries that are either growing (like construction or early-childhood education) or bouncing back from the pandemic (like health care or education).

“We have employers coming to us saying, ‘Look, I can’t find enough people in construction,’ or ‘I can’t find enough peace officers,’ or ‘I can’t find enough firefighters or wildland fire professionals,'” said Landon Pirius, the vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the Colorado Community College System. “Those are the areas that are the highest need.”

In a statement Tuesday, Polis’ office said the program can provide free education and training for more than 20,000 prospective students. The actual figure depends on which programs are pursued — a nursing program is more expensive than an early-childhood track — and the $38.6 million will remain available until it’s used up, Pirius said.

The money is available for the coming fall semester. To qualify, students must apply for one of the colleges (applications are free), select a covered program and apply for state and federal financial aid. While there are no income limits on who’s eligible for the program, Pirius said the financial aid requirement ensures that all available funding is being used. If a student pursuing one of the covered programs receives a partial grant or scholarship, the new Colorado program can fill in the rest.

“Many sectors are facing the same challenges, so it’s imperative we take immediate action to incentivize more Coloradans into these career pathways,” Speaker Julie McCluskie, who co-sponsored the bill with a fellow Democrat and two Republicans, said in a statement Tuesday. “Through Career Advance Colorado, we have delivered a bipartisan solution that will uplift thousands of Coloradans and keep our state competitive for years to come.”

According to the state’s 2022 Talent Pipeline report, there are more than 3,700 elementary and secondary education jobs open in Colorado each year, with thousands more openings for carpenters, forestry workers and construction supervisors. Polis’ office said that construction jobs are projected to increase by 20% in the next 10 years.

“We need them, we need them trained, and we need them now,” Joe Garcia, the chancellor of the community college system, told lawmakers in March.

The new program builds upon Care Forward Colorado, a $26 million program passed by the legislature in 2022 to boost the health care workforce. In the program’s first nine months, roughly 3,200 students have participated, at a cost of $7.6 million. Nearly 1,000 of those students have already earned a credential, Pirius said.