2023 ECEPTS National Conference on ECE Apprenticeship

May 1 – 4, 2023 / Ontario, CA

The 2nd Annual National Conference on ECE Apprenticeship was a tremendous success! The event brought together 183 participants from 21 states and Washington, DC. We’re deeply grateful for the energy, insights, and collaboration shared over the four days. Check out the PPT presentations from the 30 breakout sessions here!

Session 1: 11:15 – 12:45

Apprenticeship Can Help To Solve The Teacher Shortage (PDF | 1.3MB)

PDF | 1.3MB

Grow Your Own Pathways from high school to community college can help to solve California’s ECE, Transitional Kindergarten, and K-12 teacher shortage. Utilizing Centers of Excellence Labor Market data to document employment needs and understand high school and community college funding mechanisms can create and sustain sector growth.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Registered Apprenticeship But Were Afraid To Ask (PDF | 389KB)

PDF | 389KB

The IAA has served more than 2000 apprentices in 150 non-traditional occupations for more than 100 employers. Through their partnership with ECEPTS, IAA has developed a deep understanding of both the economic challenges facing the industry and the potential of apprenticeship as a workforce development strategy. This highly interactive conversation will clarify and decipher the complicated world of registered apprenticeship!

From Few To Many: Launching And Expanding Ece Apprenticeships In Texas (PDF | 1.1MB)

PDF | 1.1MB

Camp Fire First Texas registered the first early childhood registered apprenticeship program in 2019. Since registration, the program has grown with educators across the state signing up to be a part of the program. In this session, we will share our successes, challenges, and recommendations for others.

Idea To Implementation: Supporting And Sustaining Ecepts Registered Apprenticeship Programs

As a Sector Intermediary and Sponsor, ECEPTS supports community-based partnerships to design and sustain Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for various segments of the ECE workforce. In this session, the ECEPTS Program Team shares insights and first-hand experience with eectively developing RAP partnerships, addressing common obstacles to success, and grappling with the complexity of ongoing RAP implementation and sustainability.

Recruiting And Training Future Educators Through Youth Apprenticeship: The National Landscape

Across the country there is growing interest in Youth Apprenticeship programs for ECE and other educators. Drawing on the experience of the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), this presentation will highlight opportunities and challenges to expanding ECE Youth Apprenticeship.

Session 2: 2:15 – 3:45

California Apprenticeship Initiative CAI: Seed Funding For Ece Apprenticeships (PDF | 1MB)

PDF | 1MB

Since 2016, the California Apprenticeship Initiative has supported the development and implementation of apprenticeships across many emerging industries. Learn about how four Local Education Agencies are using CAI grants to support ECE Apprenticeships in a variety of different contexts.

ECEPTS On The Job Training Programs For Family Child Care Providers And Assistants (PDF | 2.3MB)

PDF | 2.3MB

Designing accessible, equity-driven professional development pathways for FCC Providers and Assistants is a critical need. But in California and elsewhere, FCC Providers – as small business owners – are ineligible to participate in Registered Apprenticeship. In this session, learn about an innovative approach to tackling this obstacle by leveraging the eligibility of FCC Assistants to participate in Registered Apprenticeship, thereby opening doors to sustainable funding.

Failure Is Not An Option! The Role Of Success Coordinators In ECEPTS Apprenticeships

Success Coordinators play a unique and essential role in ECEPTS Apprenticeship programs. Their role is different from case management, tutoring, or mentoring. In this session, Success Coordinators explain their “no fail philosophy” and centering equity and participant success as primary drivers in program design and delivery.

Mentorship Matters: The Impact Of Mentoring On Ece Apprentices And Retention Of The Workforce (PDF | 2.9MB)

PDF | 2.9MB

Apprenticeships require mentoring and the quality and support for the mentor is essential to apprentices’ success and retention. We will discuss the California Early Childhood Mentor Program’s model of mentoring, how mentoring impacts teacher morale, and what leaders can do in their programs to create a positive workplace culture.

Tricks Of The Trade: Writing Winning Grant Proposals (PDF | 2.7MB)

PDF | 2.7MB

Join this interactive presentation focused on the “do’s and don’ts” of successful grant writing. On behalf of ECEPTS, Barbara has written grants for ECE Apprenticeship programs that have resulted in more than $8 million in funding. Participants will benefit from her concrete examples, learn from her successes and mistakes, and build confidence in their ability to identify, write, and win grants to fund and sustain ECE Apprenticeship programs.

Session 3: 9:30 – 11:00

A Statewide Apprenticeship Program For Childcare Development Specialists In Colorado

PDF | 1MB

Come learn about how Child Care Innovations has innovated apprenticeship in Colorado. We will discuss how the apprenticeship started, how it aligns with the QRIS system, how we engage all dierent types of learners, and how Red Rocks has been working to award college credit for apprenticeship participation.

ECE Apprenticeship In Kentucky: What’s The Big Idea?

PDF | 2.3MB

A pioneer and leader in the arena of ECE apprenticeship, Brenda Hagan was the architect of local and statewide Registered Apprenticeships for youth and ECE program directors in Kentucky. In this presentation, she will highlight the Kentucky program models and share often overlooked elements that must be included in the development, design, and implementation of ECE apprenticeship programs to ensure success.

Instructions Included: Understanding And Writing Registered Apprenticeship Standards

Developing Registered Apprenticeship Standards can feel like a daunting undertaking! In this session, participants will develop an understanding of the component parts of Apprenticeship Standards and how to write and submit standards at the state and/or national level. Bring your questions and concerns to the conversation!

Successfully Collaborating With Local Workforce Development Boards In California

PDF | 2.9MB

Bridging the ECE system and the WDB system is a win-win opportunity that can be complicated and confusing. Led by workforce system leaders who are strong supporters of ECEPTS and the expansion of ECE apprenticeship, this interactive session will delve into how to access and collaborate with WDBs, and provide information about funding and participant supports that WDBs can provide.

YMCA Of The East Bay Head Start: Delivering The Secret Sauce In Ecepts Apprenticeships

PDF | 2.7MB

YMCA Early Educator Apprenticeship programs have served close to 500 participants since 2015. In this session, YMCA Apprenticeship leaders will share their experiences, challenges and successes working with the largest and oldest ECE Apprenticeship in CA. They will also highlight common pitfalls and strategies to achieve desired outcomes, sustainable funding, and continuous program improvement.

Session 4: 2:15 – 3:45

Equity In Action: ECEPTS Apprenticeship For Afterschool/ Expanded Learning Program Leaders

Hear about CA’s first Afterschool/Expanded Learning Apprenticeship, a student-centered, earn-and-learn model that promotes career advancement and economic mobility for low-income workers and people of color. Apprentices expand their career options, complete 2000 hours of paid on-the-job training, and earn 48 college credits toward an AA degree at no cost to apprentices.

Leveraging T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood To Build Ece Apprenticeships In North Carolina And Arkansas (PDF | 694KB)

PDF | 694KB

As the ECE workforce continues to recover and stabilize from the impact of the pandemic, the development of comprehensive workforce recruitment, retention, and compensation strategies is critical. Session attendees will hear insights from North Carolina and Arkansas about their unique approaches to developing apprenticeship programs and incorporating the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program.

Registered Apprenticeship Expansion: Funding And Focus On New And Emerging Sectors In California (PDF | 1.5MB)

PDF | 1.5MB

As Deputy Chief of the CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards, Adele Burnes is focused on policy and strategy around the expansion of registered apprenticeship. Learn how CA is expanding apprenticeship and how the DAS can oer support in launching and scaling ECE apprenticeship programs. The presentation will include information on the most recent funding opportunities and allow for in-depth Q&A and participant engagement.

Ticket 2 Teach Ece Apprenticeship: A Countywide Collaboration In California (PDF | 10.7MB)

PDF | 10.7MB

This presentation will provide an overview of San Luis Obispo County’s development and implementation of the Ticket 2 Teach ECE Apprenticeship program, concentrating on how partnerships and collaborative efforts within the community have helped build a larger system to support the program and ECE workforce.

University-Based Youth Apprenticeship: Expanding Interest And Diversity Of Apprentices And Employers In Colorado

“I didn’t know this was a career until I had kids. Wish someone would have told me in high school.” We hear this every year from newcomers to ECE, suggesting we may be missing a key opportunity for recruitment. This interactive presentation will explore strategies implemented by CMU/WCCC Education-Early Child Department to expand the traditional approach to recruiting apprentices and workforce partners.

Session 5: 9:15 – 10:45

Aprende: An Innovative ECE Preapprenticeship Program In New Mexico(PDF | 683KB)

PDF | 683KB

This session will share information about the APRENDE pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program at Santa Fe Community College. The APRENDE pre-apprenticeship is an innovative pathway to build capacity for future apprenticeships, support local ECE employers, and create a path to early childhood careers for newcomers to the field.

Developing And Sustaining An ECE Pre-Apprenticeship Program In Vermont(PDF | 2.3MB)

PDF | 2.3MB

In this session, Brenda Schramm and Paula Nadeau will explore how Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) piloted and implemented an ECE Pre-Apprenticeship Program that is in its second full year and continues to expand and grow.

ECEPTS And T.E.A.C.H.: The Role And Value Of Intermediaries In Building Successful Apprenticeships

Intermediaries can be a valuable resource to newcomers to the world of apprenticeship in helping to ensure successful development, implementation, and sustaining of Registered Apprenticeships. ECEPTS and T.E.A.C.H. have been pioneers as ECE Sector Intermediaries and have established a compelling proof of concept. This session will provide an overview of the Registered Apprenticeship system and the contribution that Sector Intermediaries can make.

Expanding ECEPTS Youth Apprenticeship Initiatives Across Counties And High School Districts

Expanding Youth Apprenticeship is a promising strategy for building a more inclusive economy by connecting the learning needs of students with the talent needs of industry. The potential for Youth Apprenticeship in industries like ECE is unlimited – but systemic challenges and barriers are significant. Learn about two ground-breaking, large scale Youth Apprenticeship initiatives that could become a template for widespread replication.

Exploring Utilizing Apprenticeship As A Model Of Professional Development In Head Start National (PDF | 47KB)

PDF | 47KB

For over 50 years, Head Start has served as a “national laboratory” for effective interventions for children and adults. Given widespread interest in apprenticeship as a model of ECE professional development, National Head Start Association is exploring Head Start apprenticeship programs and national levels of interest across Head Start programs to determine the potential for developing a Head Start Apprenticeship Incubator project. Come join the conversation!

Session 6: 11:00 – 12:30

Addressing The Childcare Staffing Crisis: A Statewide Registered Apprenticeship Initiative In Michigan (PDF | 2.6MB)

PDF | 2.6MB

This session will describe the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s Child Care Innovation Fund and its innovative approaches in helping communities and regions design, pilot, and scale ECE Registered Apprenticeship Programs to address Michigan’s childcare workforce challenges.

Building The Plane While Flying: Implementation Update On An Ecepts Community College-Based Teacher Apprenticeship

Using ECEPTS’ competency-based apprenticeship model, Skyline College’s Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program launched its first cohort in Fall 2022. This presentation will provide an overview of implementation highlights and lessons learned in providing seamless degree pathways for early educators, leveraging college and community-wide systems and resources, and setting a standard for wages and salary progressions across the community.

Cracking The Code: Community Colleges Supporting Registered Apprenticeships In California

California has been innovative and strategic in creating funding streams to cover the cost of apprenticeship programs. But accessing that funding can be competitive, confusing, and challenging for non-traditional sectors like ECE. This panel discussion will feature leaders from three community colleges/districts who have been pioneers in supporting the development, implementation and ongoing sustainability of ECEPTS apprenticeship programs.

System Building: ECE Apprenticeships That Sustain And Scale

Learn how a regional intermediary worked with a college and employer partners who had robust experience with apprenticeship, but less so with ECE Apprenticeships. The partnership effectively worked on program design, leveraged unique funding opportunities, and found creative solutions to employment for apprentices. Presenters include faculty and program managers, and virtual participation by apprentices and employers.

The Who, What & How Of Developing Registered Apprenticeships For FCC Providers In CA, CT, IL, MA, and RI (PDF | 2.1MB)

PDF | 2.1MB

This presentation will deliver valuable information about the who, what, and how of developing a Family Child Care Registered Apprenticeship program. It will highlight SEIU ESF’s ongoing national work to build apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Illinois and California.

ECEPTS National Conference – Registration Ends April 24
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