The impact that a skilled and well-compensated early childhood education (ECE) workforce – the workforce behind the workforce – has on all industries is significant. Registered Apprenticeship (RA) offers a powerful model to support, uplift, and increase the ECE workforce. The ECE workforce is both eager and well-suited to participate in RA programs, and they need the support within the child care industry and from other sectors to be successful.
Midwest Urban Strategies, along with our partners WRMA, Inc. (a TriMetrix Company), and LPE Associates, are proud to reflect on the meaningful progress we have achieved together through the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC). ECWC was established in 2023 as a U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) funded ECE RA industry intermediary. When the U.S. DOL contract ended in June of this year, ECWC began a new chapter as an independent ECE apprenticeship intermediary.
ECWC’s mission remains clear: to strengthen and sustain a well-qualified, well-compensated ECE workforce by helping partners develop, launch, and expand RA, Youth Apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs nationwide. It has been an honor to collaborate with partners across the country to advance ECE apprenticeship programs as a trusted and effective workforce development strategy; supporting the workforce behind the workforce.
Celebrating ECWC’s Progress
As a U.S. DOL-funded intermediary for two years, together we…
- Formed 80 signed formal partnerships across 28 states and the District of Columbia
- Supported the launch of 17 new RA programs for 16 new RA sponsors
- Helped expand 31 existing programs
- Contributed to the enrollment of over 1,000 new ECE apprentices (and counting!)
These achievements reflect our shared commitment to addressing the critical need for a well-qualified and well-compensated ECE workforce.
Partnering for the Future
Today, ECWC operates under a fee-for-service and grant-funded model, partnering directly with organizations to advance apprenticeship efforts and build lasting solutions for the ECE workforce. ECWC collaborates with organizations seeking to launch a new apprenticeship program or enhance an existing one, offering hands-on, customized support tailored to each organization’s specific goals. Our services span every stage of development to help build strong, sustainable pathways for the ECE workforce.
We’re actively seeking new funding opportunities and partnerships to continue this critical work. Together, we can continue to elevate the ECE profession and create lasting impact.
