Apprenticeships: The Fastest Growing Strategy for Child Care Workforce Development

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is an underutilized vehicle that could help grow apprentice opportunities for the child care workforce. WIOA passed with broad bipartisan support in 2014 and formalized the use of career pathways. States develop WIOA State Plans, as well as local and regional sub-plans that are responsive to their unique community needs. Workforce Development Boards at the state and local level enact the plans.

To match employers with skilled workers and to help job seekers access employment, education, and training, WIOA strengthened registered apprenticeship programs. All registered apprenticeships are eligible for federal workforce funding from WIOA. The funding is allotted to states based on a formula, usually administered through local Workforce Development Boards. Local Workforce Development Boards can use funds to help support:

• On-the-job learning, also referred to as on-the-job training
• Related training and instruction
• Books, transportation, and resources, such as child care, that enable individuals to successfully participate in apprenticeship programs

Growing Apprenticeships Grows Child Care Supply

The nation’s success in meeting the need for child care depends on our ability to recruit and retain a competent workforce. Over the past 10 years the child care workforce has decreased significantly from more than 2 million to about 1.6 million child care teachers, program administrators, and family child care providers. High turnover impacts program stability, working families, and young children.

Despite the value child care teachers generate for working families, employers, and communities, their wages are among the lowest of any occupation. The child care workforce is near the bottom percentile of all occupations when ranked by annual earnings; 98 percent of occupations have higher average annual earnings. Child care and early learning professionals need opportunities to increase their competencies, and most program staff cannot afford to leave their job for months or years while earning credentials.

Registered apprenticeship programs offer a flexible model for child care and early learning teachers to improve their knowledge and skills with the goal of acquiring a state-defined credential, a nationally recognized child development associate (CDA) credential, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree, all while increasing their wages. Apprenticeships support career development where training and education is concurrent with teaching and caring for young children.

Moving Forward

Apprenticeships can help expand the availability of high quality child care. To grow child care apprenticeship opportunities, and in turn, the supply of child care:

• Policymakers should provide greater support to states and communities to ensure programs are sustainable and scalable.
• States WIOA plans should include child care workforce development.
• Federal and state agencies must work together with businesses, philanthropic organizations, higher-education institutions, and community partners to expand and sustain registered apprenticeships for the child care workforce.

Stay tuned for the full BPC report on child care apprenticeships and WIOA.