State Announces $1.8 Million to Build Talent Pipeline for Early Childhood Educators

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced $1.8 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) to eight organizations to train and place more than 300 apprentices in early childhood education careers across the state.

In September, Massachusetts was awarded $5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to partner with employers with the goal of rapidly scaling registered apprenticeship programs in early childhood education and creating a technical assistance hub for early childhood education apprenticeships.

Registered apprenticeship provides individuals with paid work experience, including classroom instruction and on-the-job training, combined with securing nationally recognized credentials, progressive wage increases, and economic mobility and advancement.

“Our administration has been committed to expanding the registered apprenticeship model into industries like early childhood education so we can strength the talent pipeline,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Through the GROW grants, we’re creating real pathways for educators to learn, earn, and advance their careers, while helping providers attract and retain the talent they need. These investments are building a strong early education system and, in turn, a more competitive Massachusetts.”

The Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Commonwealth’s registered apprenticeship programs. DAS offers more than 500 active programs with more than 10,000 active apprentices. Construction and building trade apprenticeships comprise the majority of programs with nearly one-quarter of registered apprentices in expansion industries such as healthcare, education, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

“Access to affordable, quality childcare is an economic driver, vital support for our workers, and critical to strengthening our competitiveness,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Registered apprenticeship is an important piece of the state’s workforce agenda, and the GROW early childhood educator apprenticeship awards are part of the administration’s efforts to make childcare more affordable and accessible by helping build a pipeline of early childhood educators.”

Of the eight grant recipients, two are based in Western Mass.:

• MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board (Pittsfield): $198,375 to register a new early childhood education registered apprenticeship and enroll three cohorts of 10 apprentices in the identified childcare desert of Berkshire County over three years; and

• MassHire Hampden County (Springfield): $83,916 to register a new early childhood education apprenticeship and enroll 15 apprentices in the identified childcare desert of Springfield, as well as Holyoke and Chicopee.

The Commonwealth continues to accept applications for apprenticeship program funding for FY 2026. For more information, visit www.commbuys.com.