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Building Bright Futures with Early Childhood Apprenticeships

BBF is an initiative providing financial support, guidance, and resources to boost NC pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in early childhood education, increasing the number of high-quality educators.

Building Bright Futures

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Total ECE Apprentices in NC

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Counties Served by Apprenticeship

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ECE Apprentice Completers

NC Career Launch

Support for High School Pre-Apprentices

CAREER LAUNCH

Do you have high school pre-apprentices at your center, or are interested in including them? NCBCE's NC Career Launch (NCCL) program can support those efforts! In partnership with Building Bright Futures, NCCL helps employers connect employers to their local high schools and community colleges, set up pre-apprenticeship-to-apprenticeship pathways, and provides financial support for pre-apprentices, mentors, and employers. High school pre-apprenticeship is a valuable training and recruiting tool that provides both the student and employer opportunities for growth in the field. Check it out today!

NEW! PARTNER WEBINAR

A Team Approach: Building Early Childhood Apprenticeship Programs

October 23, 2025 (1-2 pm)

Join our partners at the TEACH Early Childhood® National Center Team in their webinar series focusing specifically on topics related to apprenticeship programs. This is a great opportunity to learn from another program about their apprenticeship experiences!

Early Years

Apprenticeship program development can feel overwhelming. There is always something to consider. One of the most critical components to a successful apprenticeship program is building an invested team. This session will explore not only who should be on your team, but team experiences that shaped program development and implementation. Listen to colleagues as they share how they built a team that was invested in the development of ECE apprenticeship programs.

As early childhood apprenticeships increase, leaders say more are needed to support ‘the workforce behind the workforce’

Liz Bell
September 9, 2025
EdNC.org

EdNC early childhood education reporter, Liz Bell, discusses the growth and impact of early childhood education pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in NC and the role of Building Bright Futures and its partners. The article also highlights BBF participants Kids R Kids Learning Academy of RTP in Durham, who are part of the Early Years Durham Pre-K apprenticeship program, as well as the McDowell County Schools pre-apprenticeship program. Share this with your networks!

NEW! Participant and Partner Spotlights

Career Spotlight

Our BBF participants and partners have shared with us their experiences, career journeys, and insight on early childhood education and apprenticeship. Check out this new section that brings all of their valuable knowledge together!

North Carolina’s children, families, and businesses need more early childhood education and care options, and Building Bright Futures is an innovative solution to increase access. By supporting and encouraging students to enter the early childhood profession, we’ll help make sure more families and employers have the quality child care they need to thrive.

Former Governor Roy Cooper

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