News
June 27, 2025
Final ECWC Email
On behalf of the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC) and the organizations that make up this team, WRMA, Inc. (a TriMetrix Company), LPE Associates, and Midwest Urban Strategies, we are saddened to share that the U.S. Department of Labor has decided not to continue funding ECWC and other emerging Industry Intermediaries beyond the end of our current project year.
Our team is incredibly proud of the meaningful work we’ve accomplished with our partners across the country over the past two years. It has been an honor and a privilege to collaborate with all of you to advance RA as a viable and valued workforce development strategy in early childhood education (ECE).
Together we have:
- Formed 80 formal partnerships across 28 states and the District of Columbia
- Supported the launch of 17 new RA programs for 16 new RA sponsors
- Helped expand 31 existing programs
- Contributed to the enrollment of over 1,000 new ECE apprentices (and counting!)
We strongly believe that ECE RA programs can help address the critical need for recruiting and sustaining a well-qualified and well-compensated ECE workforce that contributes to the health and well-being of young children and their families and the broader U.S. economy.
Access ECWC Resources
Though our team will no longer be available to provide direct technical assistance, we have ensured that you can still access the tools and materials we’ve developed:
- ECWC Website: All of the resources, webinars, FAQs, and project information on our website will remain active through July 2026 thanks to support from TriMetrix Inc.
- ECWC Partner Resource Library: This collection of resources and templates is now publicly available to support anyone working to build or grow an ECE RA program. Topics covered include program development, administration, mentorship, marketing, and sustaining your ECE RA program. Templates are included that can be customized to your program needs and requirements.
Thank you for your engagement with and commitment to expanding and strengthening the early childhood workforce through RA. This journey has been deeply meaningful and inspiring for our entire team. We are grateful for all that has been accomplished through this collective effort and look forward to watching all these seeds take root and grow strong and sustained RA programs that support a powerful, skilled, and well-compensated ECE workforce!
Warmly,
The ECWC Team
May 9, 2025
New Tools for ECE Mentors
Strong mentorship is key to the success of early childhood Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. We’re excited to share three new tools designed to help mentors build their skills and support apprentices effectively:
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Mentor: This guide will identify mentor, journeyworker, and apprentice roles and responsibilities so that participants understand what is expected of them.
- What Makes an Effective Mentor in ECE RA Programs: Learn characteristics and behaviors of an effective ECE RA program mentor.
- Strong Foundations: Finding the Right Mentorship Match: This document walks through the steps for successful matching, qualities to look for in mentors, and the benefits of a strong pairing.
April 30, 2025
Celebrating National Apprenticeship Day
In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown since the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC), a project led by WRMA, Inc., launched in 2023. Our new infographic highlights ECWC’s impact from 2023 through April 2025, showcasing the incredible momentum we’re building together with our partners.
From helping launch 11 new Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs, to supporting 66 partners and nearly 800 apprentices entering the early childhood education (ECE) field, our network spans 27 states plus the District of Columbia and continues to grow.
We’re proud to support our committed sponsors and the apprentices who are helping to shape the future of early childhood education.
Happy National Apprenticeship Day, and thank you to all of our partners, sponsors, and champions of the ECE workforce!
April 17, 2025
ECWC Celebrates Onward Eugene’s New RA Program!
ECWC was honored to support Onward Eugene in achieving approval for their Child Care Development Specialist Registered Apprenticeship program. Through tailored technical assistance, ECWC helped them establish a clear and sustainable pathway for training and supporting early childhood educators in Lane County, Oregon.
See the news article and press release to learn more!
April 8, 2025
Join us for a webinar to celebrate National Apprenticeship Day!
On Thursday, May 1 ECWC will be hosting a webinar to support the marketing and recruitment efforts of early childhood Registered Apprenticeship programs. In this webinar, we’ll introduce the basics of marketing and explore key elements of creating dynamic marketing materials that effectively communicate essential program information to apprentices and employers. We’ll share expert guidance, innovative tools, and tailored solutions to help you achieve your marketing goals.
Participants will also hear from our partners at YWCA Metro St. Louis and the Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention at the University of Maryland, College Park as they share real-world examples of successful marketing and recruitment strategies for the early childhood RA programs.
Join us for:
Marketing & Recruitment Essentials for Growing Your ECE Registered Apprenticeship Program
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 1-2 ET
This is a session you won’t want to miss!
Register for this webinar.
January 30, 2025
ECWC Authors Blog: The Impact of Apprenticeships for Career Advancement
In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, the Early Childhood Workforce Connector authored an article promoting the impact of Registered Apprenticeship programs for career advancement, specifically highlighting early childhood education professionals. The article was featured on Clackamas Workforce Partnership’s blog site. Clackamas Workforce Partnership is focused on building a workforce system that promotes innovation, responsiveness, and transparency. They are a leader for early childhood education in Oregon, exploring a statewide approach to ECE RA.
November 17, 2024
Happy National Apprenticeship Week!
In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, ECWC created this video featuring a few of our partners and apprentices. See how early childhood Registered Apprenticeship programs are transforming the workforce and creating opportunities for growth and success!
April 5, 2024
University of Maryland’s Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI) Establishes a Registered Apprenticeship Program for Early Childhood Educators
The Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC) is pleased to announce the registration of the first Standards of Apprenticeship under its guidance. The University of Maryland’s Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI) has successfully established a Registered Apprenticeship program tailored for early childhood educators with collaboration and support from the ECWC team.
This initiative offers apprentices paid on-the-job training within centers dedicated to serving children and families with complex needs. “The goal of the Maryland Early EdCorp Registered Apprenticeship Program is to rebuild the child care workforce with high-quality early childhood educators prepared to support all children and families, particularly those with difficulties accessing services arising from disability, language barriers, poverty and other complex needs,” according to Christy Tirrell-Corbin, executive director of CECEI.