Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Partnership with SEIU-ESF and others to Build Early Education Workforce
Massachusetts Invests $1.4 Million to Expand Early Childhood Education Workforce Through Registered Apprenticeships
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making strides to strengthen the early childhood education workforce across Massachusetts by investing in Registered Apprenticeships. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) announced a $1.4 million investment in pilot partnerships with organizations selected as regional intermediaries. These intermediaries will support workforce development pathways for center-based and family child care (FCC) programs, including registered apprenticeships, to help address the growing need for early childhood educators.
The first round of pilot partnerships includes organizations like the Community Group in Lawrence, which will focus on center-based apprenticeship programs. Three additional organizations will provide intermediary support for family child care programs:
Family Services of Central Massachusetts – Serving Western and Central regions
United Way of Massachusetts Bay – Serving Metro Boston and Northeast regions
SEIU Education and Support Fund – Serving Southeast and Cape regions
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the administration’s commitment to making early childhood education more affordable and accessible for families, while also addressing the workforce shortages that have led to high costs and long waitlists. By investing in apprenticeships and hands-on training, the state aims to boost the number of skilled educators in early childhood education.
Apprenticeships: A Pathway to Workforce Development
Registered apprenticeship programs offer a comprehensive model for workforce development, combining on-the-job training with paid work experience and industry-recognized credentials. These programs provide early childhood educators with hands-on learning opportunities, mentoring, and technical instruction. In collaboration with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), these intermediaries will help recruit apprentices, connect them with employers, and manage program requirements.
Starting in 2025, the three FCC intermediary organizations will implement training programs to support aspiring FCC educators through licensure and development of core educator competencies. The goal is to graduate 250 FCC educators by 2026. This initiative is part of a larger $10 million federal funding investment through 2026 to strengthen the early childhood workforce.
A Collaborative Effort
This initiative is part of Governor Healey’s Early Education and Care Task Force, focusing on strategies to recruit, train, and retain early childhood educators. The Community Group will expand its apprenticeship programs, aligning them with future credential standards and providing a pathway for educators to enter the field. As EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw highlighted, this collaboration allows apprentices to "earn while they learn," offering educators economic mobility and enhancing the quality of early childhood education.
By partnering with organizations like Family Services of Central Massachusetts, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and SEIU Education and Support Fund, the administration is building a robust early childhood education workforce and ensuring access to high-quality care for families across the state.
A Strong Workforce for a Strong Future
The Healey-Driscoll Administration's investment in apprenticeships reflects a commitment to both economic opportunity and educational excellence. These partnerships will help address the shortage of early childhood educators, reduce child care costs, and expand access to quality care for Massachusetts families. As the program expands, it aims to create pathways for aspiring educators, particularly those facing systemic barriers, ensuring a bright future for children, families, and communities alike.
For more information about the program, read the press release and visit the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care's website.