Your Thoughts on Apprenticeships

We so appreciate your replies to yesterday’s message on apprenticeships. I should have mentioned the article was focused on online credential programs, which bring credentialling to many more people, but add challenges to formal apprenticeships.

Deborah Bergeron, of the National Head Start Association, Nokesville, VA, noted, “Great article to spur some thinking about apprenticeships. I think the primary benefit is the structure that it demands from programs and leadership.

“This comment, ‘A review of state child care center licensing requirements for children birth to 5 revealed that an apprenticeship is not mandatory for child care center teachers in any state in the United States. Instead, center directors generally hire child care teachers upon completion of a content knowledge preparation program alone.’ is somewhat misleading, as the CDA and a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education (ECE) both would require extensive practicum work - not just book knowledge. ECE in particular 'grows its own' through fairly intensive experiential learning. Apprenticeships, in my view, simply take this process and formalize it more firmly to ensure the candidate is getting full support throughout the process and beyond.”

Shawna Daniels, Carrboro, NC, added this, “Most students in the college or training programs are taking coursework and already working in child care/early learning programs. The quality of their work experiences may not always be as high as their practicum/internship, but there is learning in that situation as well.

“The reality is that we (as a collective field) don’t always have enough well-educated and experienced teachers in high quality programs to build our workforce in a long-term apprenticeship model and the cost of an apprenticeship model (though ideal) will become a challenge to any childcare/early learning program if it is done correctly.

“Equally, there are large and small scale efforts to incorporate apprenticeships into the current model. The National TEACH program has started one in a few select states to see if it works. More info: https://www.teachecnationalcenter.org/special-projects/early-childhood-educator-apprenticeship-program/”

Francis Wardle, University of Phoenix/ Red Rocks Community College, Denver, Colorado, also reiterated the hands-on and practical experiences available to people who are, often by necessity, working in the field while earning their credential. He cautions against placing more burdens on them, “Given the horrendous pay and benefits of our field, I am 100% opposed to any additional requirements until this problem is addressed!

Thank you to each one for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights, making this a true exchange of information, ideas and inspiration!

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