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For Immediate Release
April 8, 2024
LA County Launches 2-Year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship Program Providing Free Education and Training to Workers Seeking Early Childhood Education Jobs
A part of LA County’s collective investment in High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs)
Los Angeles, CA –Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell of the Second District kicked off the County’s 2-year Early Care and Education Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship Program providing free community college education and on-the job site-based training for workers interested in teaching and childcare career pathways.
With over 725,000 children under 5 years old in LA County, licensed centers and family childcare homes have the capacity to serve just 7% of working parents with infants and toddlers. DEO’s $1M American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment, representing the County’s collective funding and strategic commitment to High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) in the early childhood education, will support 90 County residents through the apprenticeship program culminating with a California State-issued child development permit and a tuition, debt free start to a career with a committed employer facing potential workforce shortages.
HRTPs bring together cross-sector partners and use customized training solutions that offer job readiness, skills training and credentials, paid work-based learning, case management and supportive services, and connection to committed hiring employers in high-growth sectors offering living wages.
“We must provide high quality childcare while also promoting career pathways that provide advancement opportunities and a dignified wage. The County’s apprenticeship program for the Early Care and Education sector is connecting more professionals to the childcare industry which ultimately benefits our workforce, working families, and communities,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.
“DEO knows that our early care and education workforce needs our investment to ensure our region boasts quality jobs and career pathways for our dedicated teachers and staff while also ensuring accessible, affordable, and sufficient care so everyone who wants to work can get back to work,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. “Together, we can lift the sector and lift up our youth, our workforce of tomorrow. We’re excited to partner with such expert partners in this space and do our part, and are grateful for the Board’s leadership and ARP investment in High Road Training Partnerships like these.”
The program is designed and delivered by and with subject matter experts and providers in the field and is registered with the State of California’s Departments of Apprenticeship Standards and Labor. Partners include the LA County Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education, Early Care and Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), the Los Angeles Office of Education (LACOE), Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), West LA College, and Pierce College including a vast network of Head Start agencies and Volunteers for America partners committed to hiring apprentices starting at $17.27 with a progression in wages throughout the program.
Apprentices will take part in 180 hours of classroom training at local colleges and 2,000 hours of paid site-based experiential learning, subsidized by DEO in partnership with hiring employers as part of the registered apprenticeship which will also include a Teacher Preparation Academy that offers additional job readiness, trauma informed instruction, and professional development for all trainees. In addition to no cost instruction and paid work experience, apprentices are connected to supportive services through the County’s America’s Job Centers of California. The County’s investment represents an expansion of LACOE’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Career Development Initiative launched in 2022 – one the region’s booming set of career development tracks.
“Through this partnership, we are not just shaping careers; we are shaping lives and futures,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. “Providing financial assistance, online classes, and job placement support, breaks down barriers for people who aspire to become early childhood educators. This commitment will empower individuals to re-enter the workforce and ensure our youngest learners have access to qualified and nurturing teachers during those critical early years.”
“Through earn and learn apprenticeships, we are able to ensure participants are being compensated while they develop the skills to provide much needed quality childcare services to our community. Equity is maintained throughout,” said CCRC Director of Workforce Development Cynthia Renteria.
DEO’s Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program is part of the departments’ $18M investment in ARP funds to HRTPs in varying industry sectors, and the County’s collaborative and comprehensive approach for the childcare sector which includes the County’s Public Health department, home to a dedicated office for early care and education practice, policy, and systems improvement; and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), who invested $39M+ in grants for childcare facilities hit hard by the pandemic.
“Childcare providers offer an invaluable service to working families and the impact of the pandemic is still being felt in the Early Care and Education industry. The LACDA applauds the efforts of the DEO to ensure that workforce gaps are addressed to prepare and position the industry for the future, allowing families Countywide to have access to quality childcare, where kids can learn and grow in safe and healthy environments,” said Emilio Salas, Executive Director, LACDA.
“Access to affordable, quality childcare is the backbone of LA County’s workforce,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Childcare supports stable employment and provides financial security that uplifts elements of health and wellbeing, like housing, nutrition, as well as physical and mental health. Public Health is honored to have worked in partnership with the Department of Economic Opportunity to launch this new initiative to build the childcare workforce and we look forward to continued collaboration to build a stronger early education system for all children.”
The next cohort, facilitated in partnership with CCRC, is set to begin instruction in August 2024 at Pierce College. Deadline to apply is June 30th. Interested participants are encouraged to fill out the following interest form to get started. For more information on the Department of Economic Opportunity, visit opportunity.lacounty.gov.
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About DEO: The newly created Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and residents access life changing opportunities, and is home to 18 local America’s Job Centers of California, LA County’s one stop shop that provides a comprehensive range of no-cost employment and training services for youth and adult job seekers, and employers. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.
Contact:
Lara Arsinian, Head of Marketing & Communications
press@opportunity.lacounty.gov or larsinian@opportunity.lacounty.gov
844-777-2059
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