Apprenticeship

• Partnership with Building Bright Futures: NCPC requires that Smart Start Local Partnerships (LPs) partner with Building Bright Futures (BBF) to support their apprenticeship program. BBF is a pilot program funded by DCDEE from January 3, 2023 through December 31, 2024. BBF supports the students, staff, and educators participating in apprenticeship programs in the following ways:
  • Wage support for hours worked by pre-apprentices and apprentices
  • Professional development and career awareness
  • Mentoring
  • Wraparound services and other support
• Registration with ApprenticeshipNC & BBF: Employers, pre-apprentices, and apprentices must register with ApprenticeshipNC to be eligible for BBF funding. Employers must also register with BBF to gain access to funding and other resources.
• BBF Apprenticeship Programs: Participants in an apprenticeship program are paid employees. All apprenticeships include the following components:
  • Progressive wage scale
  • On-the-job learning competency checklist under the guidance of a mentor
  • Related instruction provided by a subject matter expert

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Pre-apprentices and apprentices receive in-person, on-the-job training at a child care center while taking related classwork at the high school or community college level, earning both school credit and industry-recognized credentials, certificates, or degrees (such as North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC), Child Development Associate (CDA), ECE Certificate (e.g., Preschool, Infant/Toddler), and Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education). Classes may be taken online or in person.  

Requirements for the number of hours worked and spent with instruction vary depending on the apprenticeship design, but typically run anywhere from 6 weeks to several years. ApprenticeshipNC requires that for every 144 contact hours of Related Instruction (this refers to seat time in a class, not credit hours), the apprentice must work 2,000 paid hours. The length of the apprenticeship depends on several factors: credential or degrees identified as Related Instruction by the employer and the apprentice’s prior educational and professional experience.

Space: Office space for local administrators, as well as space and materials to facilitate small group coaching or community of practice sessions may be needed.

Although not required, a local administrator may be necessary to carry out tasks required of overseeing the apprenticeship program, such as coaching apprentices, training employers, coordinating with ApprenticeshipNC, and entering reporting data into ApprenticeshipNC’s database. Smart Start Local Partnerships can assume this role, as needed. 

BBF provides education about the benefits of ECE apprenticeship and coordinates communication between key stakeholders. 

BBF partners with Child Care Services Association (CCSA) to present the Mentoring Apprentices and Pre-Apprentices Program (M.A.P.P.), which offers optional Mentor Training and a Community of Practice delivered via online webinars. Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Mentors guide the pre-apprentices/apprentices as they complete their work-based learning and impart knowledge and skills based on the mentor’s experience and education.

Apprenticeship employers and sponsors must complete ApprenticeshipNC training about reporting, standards, and other requirements.