NYC Early Childhood Apprenticeship opens doors to a career
Ready…set…apprentice! The Institute’s Career Development Center welcomed its first-ever cohort of early childhood apprentices on July 14 at “Match Day” — a celebration of successful matches between apprentices and participating employers. Apprentices will begin working as assistant teachers this summer, earning a regular wage while they work toward earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate at the CUNY School of Professional Studies.
The New York City Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program is funded by a grant through the city’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, which has pledged to connect 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships in high-demand careers by 2030. The apprenticeship is designed to provide participants with four important elements to pave the way for a sustainable career in early childhood: training and education; real work experience; guidance and mentorship from a lead teacher; and paid compensation for work.
“Child care is what makes it possible for every other apprenticeship program to function,” Dona Anderson, the Institute’s executive director, told the assembled apprentices and employers at the celebration. “This is a field that deserves this investment.”
Before beginning their jobs, apprentices completed paid training hours and had the opportunity to visit the child care centers where they’ll be working.
“All the training we’ve gotten so far is amazing,” said apprentice Ramona Harry. “It will give me more opportunity to stay in the field.”
For fellow apprentice Shahin Sultana, the apprenticeship has meant an opportunity to pursue a career she is passionate about.
“I love to work with children,” said Sultana, who has experience as an assistant teacher in her home country of Bangladesh.
Representatives from Birch Family Services, which manages eight early childhood programs throughout New York City, were eager to welcome the apprentices to the profession.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to build talent for the future,” said Natalia Berger, the senior vice president of human resources at Birch.
They also stressed the importance of nurturing early childhood professionals by providing ongoing professional development: “Training, training, training!” said Dr. Lori Volpe, Birch’s coordinator of autism services. “This is a growing and developing field, and we’re constantly providing training.”
The apprenticeship is an enticing new pathway for aspiring early childhood professionals.
“We’re here to demonstrate that this is a profession,” said Dr. Claudine Campanelli, the Institute’s senior director of career services and higher education. “I’m excited that you’re all here on this journey with our team.”