azeceapprenticeship

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Arizona Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Pathway

Apprenticeship Pathway is a 2-year program

The Arizona Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Pathway is a 2-year program designed to provide job seekers and early learning professionals with a blend of college coursework, mentorship and on the job experience resulting in a more highly trained workforce and increased compensation for those who complete the program.

Working with employers and onsite mentors

Apprentices will work with their employer and a Journeyworker, an onsite mentor, to develop job skills, improve early childhood programs and qualify for career advancement. Additional incentives may be available for Apprentices, Journeyworkers and employers.

This program is administered by Central Arizona College Professional Career Pathway Project (PCPP) and funded by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) Division of Child Care.

Pathway Information

Information is provided below both for individuals interested in pursuing an apprenticeship and employers/directors of programs interested in employing apprentices.

Enrollment for new programs is currently closed, complete an interest form for possible future enrollment cycles.

Complete Apprenticeship Interest Form HERE

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN APPRENTICE?

WHO SHOULD APPLY TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE?

Before applying for the Arizona Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Pathway, ask yourself…

-Is my dream to work in the field of early childhood and work with young children and families?
-Am I currently working in the field of early childhood education, but looking to increase my skills and compensation?
-Would I like to further my education with little to no cost?
-Do I have previous education and/or experience that I want to apply towards Early Childhood Educator qualifications?

If you have answered ‘YES’ to any or all of these questions, you should apply to be an apprentice!

AM I ELIGIBLE TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE?

Eligibility for Apprenticeship:

-16 years of age or older
-High school diploma, GED or other high school equivalency credential
-Must be eligible to work in Arizona
-Completed Application and completed profile in the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry
-Letter of recommendation from a supervisor, teacher or faculty member, or colleague
-Must meet employer eligibility qualifications and requirements through Arizona Department of Health Services Child Care rules and regulations
-Must be employed or willing to be employed FULL TIME at an early childhood program for a 2 year commitment

Additionally, applicants may be required to complete the placement tests qualifying them for admission into the program of study IF REQUIRED by an academic institution.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF APPRENTICESHIP?

Apprentices employed with an approved employer can expect…

-Scholarship funding for 18 credits of early childhood education courses at participating institutions
-$1,000 Stipend/year 1 AND $1,000 Stipend/year 2 (2 year commitment to employer)
-$1,000 Technology Bundle (laptop + accessories)
-Ongoing mentorship and support
-Free skills training and coaching
-Qualifications to become an Early Childhood Educator or director
-Transferable college credits (to be assessed by individual institutions)

HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE?

All participants in the Apprenticeship Pathway must complete an application.

3 application cycles per year

Complete Apprenticeship Interest Form HERE.

INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

ELIGIBLE EMPLOYERS

Eligible Child Care Providers Include:

-Licensed Child Care
-DHS Small Group Homes
-Private and Public Preschools
-Head Start
-Public Pre-K Programs

Eligible employers must be DES Contracted and in good standing.

EMPLOYER INCENTIVES

ADES Division of Child Care will partner with providers to offer quality incentives to approved programs that have completed an apprenticeship Employer Acceptance Agreement. The incentive package includes up to 18 hrs/year of paid professional development time per year and additional incentive funding to support the required wage enhancements for each Apprentice, Journeyworker, and one program administrator per site. Each participating provider will also receive a monthly quality stipend paid directly to the program by DES Division of Child Care.

INCENTIVES

DES Apprenticeship Wage Enhancement Grant for Providers:

-Paid Professional Development (18 hrs/year)
-80 hour paid orientation for Apprentices
-Staff salary alignment to Arizona Early Childhood Educator Salary Scale – Apprentices, Journeyworkers, and one Administrator
-Stipend for participating providers

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

Eligible Child Care Providers Must:

-Complete Employer Acceptance Agreement
-Update Staff Qualifications Detail Report for all staff in the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry
- -Visit Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry ‘How-To’ Videos page for instructions.

APPLY TO BECOME AN APPROVED EMPLOYER

Apprenticeship Pathway employers show commitment to the apprenticeship program success by committing to providing wage increases, released time for orientation and professional development and creating a workplace culture that supports wellness and quality improvement.

Complete Apprenticeship Interest Form HERE.

JOURNEYWORKERS (Onsite Mentors)

Exciting leadership opportunities for skilled, experienced teachers!

A Journeyworker, or onsite mentor, is a peer coach who models best practices and provides onsite instructional leadership to support apprentices in gaining knowledge and skills while on the job. Journeyworkers will also receive wage enhancements throughout the length of the program.

Incentives for Journeyworkers:

-Stipend of $300 per apprentice (maximum of 2 apprentices)
-$1,000 Technology Bundle (laptop + accessories)

Eligibility for Journeyworkers:

-Must be deemed eligible by current employer
-Must be at least 18 years of age
-Must be eligible to work in Arizona
-ECE Certificate of Completion (or Arizona Early Childhood Education Career Lattice Level- D) with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education- preferred
-Minimum 2-years of experience in the classroom (Other combinations of experience and education may be considered with PCPP approval.)
-Letter of recommendation from a supervisor, colleague, teacher, or faculty member.
-Completed Application and completed profile in the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry.

Complete Apprenticeship Interest Form HERE.

For additional information contact: 1-520-494-5024 or pcppapprentice@centralaz.edu

Funding provided by the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Child Care through Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant fund.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Program • Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities • To request this document in an alternative format or for further information about this policy, contact 602-542-4248; TTY/TDD Services: 7-1-1 • Disponible en español en línea o en la oficina local

Arizona Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Pathway

Apprenticeship Pathway is a 2-year program

Working with employers and onsite mentors

Pathway Information

Enrollment for new programs is currently closed, complete an interest form for possible future enrollment cycles.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN APPRENTICE?

INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

Exciting leadership opportunities for skilled, experienced teachers!

District Office

Helpful Links