BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Texas Southmost College (TSC) is paving the way for childcare workers to broaden their skills by combining flexible coursework and on-the-job training through its Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program.
“One of the advantages of being in the apprenticeship track is that it allows the student to learn while they earn,” said Anna San Pedro, TSC Workforce Training and Continuing Education (WTCE) Program Manager.
A group of 30 childcare workers representing 10 childcare centers throughout Cameron County began the program on March 9. The program is funded by grants that cover the cost for the $2,000, year-long apprenticeship.
“Monies can come from grants, specifically from our apprenticeship program,” San Pedro said. “We can also seek funding from Texas Workforce Commission grants. We can look at Workforce Solutions to seek out Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.”
Employers may also contribute towards tuition costs. To be eligible for the program, interested childcare centers and employees must be registered by TSC with the U.S. Department of Labor. The program requires apprentices to complete 144 hours of classroom instruction at TSC’s ITEC Campus along with 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. A key feature of the program is its flexible instructional schedule.
“With childcare, most of the instruction is delivered in an online format,” said San Pedro. “Because of some of the needs with regards to preparation of student portfolios, we do have a Saturday course or timeline, that is provided to the students. They come in and work side-by-side with their instructor.”
Catalina Noyola, a child development adjunct instructor in TSC’s Child Care and Development Program, plays an important role in the apprenticeship program. In addition to being an instructor, she’s also the director of Tiny Humans Academy in Brownsville, one of the daycare centers taking part in the apprenticeship program.
“I believe that having firsthand experience at the center day in and day out gives me a better understanding of what I’m teaching the apprentices,” Noyola said. “I have real life scenarios that I get to have while having a role at the center. This to me means that while I am coaching, I am also playing and give full circle knowledge to the apprentices.”
Upon completion of the program, apprentices will receive an Occupational Skills Award from Texas Southmost College and a Certificate of Completion from the U.S. Department of Labor, which formally recognizes the successful completion of a Registered Apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices who pass the required examination will earn the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
“TSC offering the CDA program is very beneficial because childcare workers can boost professional credibility, increase earning potential, and improve classroom confidence,” said Noyola. “They are better prepared for anything that could present itself while they are in their classrooms.”
Like their employees, childcare centers also benefit from the program.
“The Department of Labor acknowledges that employer and allows them to benefit with tax benefits, up to $2,500 per apprentice,” San Pedro said.
Additionally, the childcare centers can improve their rating in the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Rising Star program by having certified employees.
“The higher the rating, the better for them,” San Pedro said. “Overall, they serve their employers’ best interest to improve their skillset and to gain these certifications so that they’re able to continue to raise the level of quality in our daycare centers.”
San Pedro is thrilled to see the current group of students taking part in the program. She is currently working to get more students enrolled in the program.
“I have about 20 currently on hold waiting for funding,” she said. “I’m working very hard to find resources for those additional 20 to meet our goal. I’m hopeful that will take place in this next quarter.”
Childcare employers and employees interested in taking part in TSC’s Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program can contact San Pedro ([email protected]) for more information.
