Apprenticeship Programs
Earn as you learn.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship is a strengths-based model for professional development for future and current early childhood practitioners. Individuals can gain competencies on the job which allow them to earn college credit.
Innovative Career Development Pathways include:
- Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: for those in high school (at least 16 years old) or seeking a new career as an early childhood educator or childcare professional
- Apprenticeship Programs: for those currently working in early childhood education, preschools, or other childcare facilities and seeking additional credentials including the Child Development Associate (CDA), Early Childhood/Early Intervention Credential, Infant/Toddler Credential, Pennsylvania Director’s Credential, or School-Age Credential
Keystone is the intermediary for apprenticeships in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.
Students/Apprentices
- Become a childcare professional
- Advance your skills with on-the-job training and professional mentoring
- Earn new college credit while earning a paycheck and earn credit for prior learning
- Receive incremental wage increases as competencies on the job increase
- Receive support from program coordinator, coaches, and faculty mentors
- Take advantage of available funding opportunities
Employers
- Create a more productive, diverse, and skilled labor force
- Increase job training opportunities
- Retain qualified educators in their roles as they increase key competencies
- Advance in STARS
Coaches
- Give back to the field of early childhood education
- Support up-and-coming professionals
- Take advantage of stipends and professional development opportunities
Faculty Mentors
- Work closely with the coaches on strategies that will facilitate on-the-job competency attainment for apprentices
- Nurture and scaffold valuable skills required by coaches in this important and rewarding profession