This report from New America explores the opportunity to leverage youth apprenticeship to address worker shortages in the early childhood education sector. It explores nationwide challenges in recruiting talented early childhood education providers and profiles a promising pilot in Oakland, California. The Early Care and Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS) program in Oakland offers structured on-the-job learning, dual credit college coursework, and related student support services with the aim of addressing California’s early childhood education shortage. Early lessons from the pilot include:
- Mentorship matters
- Learning must be transferable and recognized by the field
- Pathways must lead to higher wages
- Coordination is critical
