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Workforce

Apprenticeships

Kentucky is expanding and strengthening pathways into the early childhood profession. One example of its investments is the Early Childhood Apprenticeship Portfolio, which provides different pre-service and in-service professi​onals with opportunities to ​gain education and training, while working and earning in a field they love.

The Apprenticeship Portfolio currently has four strands:

  1. Developing Career Readiness. This strand is a collaboration between the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood and the Office of Employer Apprenticeship Services and is aimed at all early childhood professionals. Participants are given access to and incentives for completion of the WIN Career Readiness Training Program, which supports multiple career-supporting skills.
  2. Growing the Early Childhood Workforce. This strand is aimed at pre-service youth who are interested in a career in early childhood. The program provides coaching and mentoring as well as incentives, resources, and professional development.
  3. Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce. This strand provides services and supports to working professionals who want to develop their skills while working in early childhood. Participants have access to a variety of services and resources to support their training and professional development, including progressive wage increases.
  4. Stable Leadership Transitions. This strand is one of the first Apprenticeship programs in the country to target directors and administrators, providing resources and supports for qualified individuals seeking to become early childhood leaders. The program started in 2022, serving 70 apprentice participants across the state.

Apprenticeships are one component of Kentucky’s Early Childhood Talent Pipeline Management System. Together, Kentucky’s Governor’s Office of Early Childhood and its cross-sector partners are working to ensure high quality and affordable care are available now and in the future to all Kentuckians who want and ​​need it.

For more information please contact kyecac.workforce@ky.gov.​

Occupations

  • Child Care Development Specialist (4000 hours)
  • Early Childhood ​Educator (2000 hours)
  • Early Childhood Administrator Director (4000 hours)

​130active apprentices

36registered apprenticeship employer ​partners

Ensuring Children Have A Strong Start

The Early Childhood Advisory Council and its support office - the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood - serve as the coordinating body for early childhood in Kentucky. Regional Collaboratives are a priority strategy to reach its overarching goal to ensure Kentucky is the best place to start and raise a family. The office supports solution- oriented discussions, highlights and grows excellence in the field, builds capacity and trains new leaders.​

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