Early childhood education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs benefit from the combined support of two key roles, journeyworkers and mentors. Skilled mentors and journeyworkers guide apprentices as they develop the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skills needed to succeed in the early childhood workforce.  

Journeyworkers serve as role models and guides for on-the-job training. They provide an example for the type of work an apprentice will learn to master themselves. They are fully qualified early childhood educators, demonstrating the skills and knowledge expected upon program completion.  

Mentors focus on the apprentice’s individual growth journey. They provide personalized guidance about managing life and work as an apprentice, answer questions, and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Mentors may or may not be journeyworkers themselves; their coaching and support are what helps the apprentice succeed. 

For more information on the difference between the role of the journeyworker and mentor in ECE RA programs, please check out our FAQs.  

Mentors will work with the apprentices during their time in the classroom or even outside of work hours, making sure the apprentices have the support they need to successfully complete the program. While not required by the Department of Labor, mentorship is considered a best practice in ECE RA programs. The Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC) supports program sponsors and employers with mentor training and materials to understand these roles and create a robust support system for apprentices. 

Mentorship is a cornerstone of strong ECE RA programs. Our team has developed foundational tools to help programs build effective mentorship systems and support the adults who guide apprentices every day. Explore the documents below to learn more about building and sustaining a high-quality ECE RA mentorship system.