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CHARLIE MILLING is an Apprenticeship Consultant with ApprenticeshipNC, covering the western and northwestern regions of the state. He has been instrumental in kickstarting early childhood education (ECE) apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in North Carolina. Charlie shares with us what makes ECE apprenticeships unique and why they serve as a reliable recruitment tool for talented, high-quality educators. |
Apprenticeships in early childhood education are relatively new compared to those in other industries, like manufacturing or automotive. How did ECE apprenticeships come about in North Carolina?
ECE apprenticeships came about due to a couple of reasons. For one thing, there was, and still is, a clear industry need across the state. There is a teacher shortage that challenges centers to stay open. The other reason is that in 2021, the US Department of Labor recognized the Early Childhood Educator occupation as a registered apprenticeable occupation. This allowed ApprenticeshipNC to court ECE centers and partner organizations to create apprenticeship programs specifically for new ECE teachers. I started primarily with Southwestern Child Development Commission and pitched the idea. They loved the idea and worked with me to develop an outstanding ECE apprenticeship program.
What makes the ECE apprenticeship pathway unique?
There are two factors that makes ECE apprenticeships unique. One is that there exists a large amount of wraparound support for many ECE apprenticeships compared to other industry sectors. Many centers have dedicated mentor teachers, whose role is to support new teachers as they start out in the field. There are community organizations such as the Buncombe Partnership for Children who provide high quality technical assistance and mentorship. ECE classrooms in general are designed so that new teachers have lead teachers constantly with them, training them on how to be great teachers. The other factor is that there is a high correlation between the quality of the teacher to the quality of the development for the child. Whereas other industry sectors are more automated and utilize robotics and advanced technologies, this field relies heavily on the human component; therefore, the better the teacher, the better the outcomes for child development.
What advice do you have for child care center employers who may be considering a registered apprenticeship program?
I would advise that before starting the registration process, an ECE center should be sure there is buy-in for an apprenticeship program with the senior teaching staff. The center should also be sure they have the capacity to take on apprentices. By capacity, I mean that they have senior teachers dedicated to training new teachers, have flexibility in their scheduling to allow the apprentice to balance working and participating in a degree program, and are well connected to the partner organizations. I would also advise the centers to seek additional grant funding to support the apprenticeship program and to participate in programs like CCSA’S T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.
What are the benefits to being an apprentice or pre-apprentice?
There are many benefits to being an apprentice or pre-apprentice. One of the biggest benefits is that apprentices who complete the program receive Journeyworker Credentials from both the US Department of Labor and the State of North Carolina. Pre-apprentices who participate in a registered pre-apprenticeship program and then enroll in a registered apprenticeship program could have tuition waived at a community college for courses, including all the courses in a full associate’s degree program. There are also other funding sources such as BBF and the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program, which provide funding support for apprentices and pre-apprentices. They begin their training early on, thus setting a solid foundation for future career growth. They establish positive relationships with mentor teachers and the ECE center early on, thus affirming their career choice. So, in short, pre-apprentices and apprentices can potentially receive free post-secondary education, support for professional development, and a positive first step in their ECE careers.
How are apprenticeships helpful to the longevity and sustainability of the ECE field?
CM: Apprenticeships allow ECE centers to begin recruiting and training new teachers earlier in the workforce development timeline. This method has higher retention rates and positive returns on investment. The ECE industry can begin training a whole new generation of teachers that begin investing in their careers at a deeper, more intentional level. Apprenticeship programs can provide stability and sustainability for the industry as it grapples with the teacher shortage. The programs “professionalize” the industry through providing more credentials, and that puts an ECE teacher on a similar level to K-12 teachers and postsecondary teachers.
To learn more from Charlie on the benefits of apprenticeships in early childhood, watch his interview with BBF here and listen to him on the podcast “Early Care and Education: All Things Workforce” here.
September 2023 Newsletter Article