Expanding Early Childhood Apprenticeship Programs
Challenge
The Office of Apprenticeship identified early childhood education (ECE) as an emerging industry that had not traditionally used Registered Apprenticeship (RA) to meet workforce needs. It wanted to strengthen the ECE workforce by applying sector expertise and best practices to deliver technical assistance (TA) and resources that support the development and expansion of ECE RA programs.
Solution
Through our subsidiary, WRMA, we collaborated with LPE Associates (LPE) and Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) to create the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC). ECWC works to develop and scale ECE RA programs to advance the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified, well-compensated ECE workforce. Through responsive and customized TA and groundbreaking resources ECWC addresses:
- ECE workforce landscape scans and career pathway development
- ECE RA program development and expansion
- Marketing and recruitment of employers and apprentices
- Mentorship training and curriculum alignment
- Sustainability planning and funding guidance
Media and Communications for ECWC
Explore the communication strategies and resources we’ve created for ECWC.
Under the DOL contract from 2023 to 2025, ECWC:
Delivered customized TA and resources to
80 partners in 28 states
Assisted in recruiting and enrolling
1,009 new ECE apprentices
Helped 16 organizations successfully develop and launch
17 new ECE RA programs
Learn More About This Project
ECWC as an Independent ECE Apprenticeship Intermediary
When federal funding for ECWC ended in July 2025, leadership at WRMA, LPE, and MUS committed to continuing the shared innovation as an independent ECE Industry Intermediary. ECWC now supports state and local partners in developing and expanding RA, Youth Apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs through tailored assistance, collaboration, and practical resources.
Cross-Sector Collaboration in Action
With strong expertise and networks in ECE, RA, and workforce development, ECWC brings an integrated team to connect complex state systems that have not traditionally collaborated to use RA in ECE. Our team bridges sectors, shares information, evolves practice, and solves problems with partners to build clarity, connection, and trusted relationships that grow the ECE workforce through RA.
Partnership Leads Our Approach
ECWC partners with a wide range of organizations to build and strengthen ECE apprenticeship programs tailored to local, state, and regional needs. Our structured yet flexible approach supports employers, agencies, workforce boards, educators, and training providers with high-impact TA that improves program design, operations, mentorship, community engagement, and sustainability.
“The ECWC team has provided stellar leadership. We are making real change by creating new pathways in the ECE workforce. These wonderful, passionate people have changed our organization beyond measure.”
Marcy Mendenhall
Director, SAL Community Services
Discover how we can help your team drive meaningful change.
Relevant Resources
Explore tools and materials our team developed on behalf of this project.
Note: Each link leads to an external website.
About Us
Learn more about who we are and what drives our work.
Stay in the Loop
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest happenings at TriMetrix.