# What This Bill Does

This bill creates a federal grant program to help states develop apprenticeship programs specifically for early childhood education workers—think preschool teachers, daycare providers, and similar positions. The Department of Labor would give money to states (up to 20 grants per year, each lasting three years) to set up and run these apprenticeships, which combine on-the-job training with classroom learning.

The grants would fund activities like teaching apprentices the skills they need to work with young children, helping them earn recognized credentials or degrees, and tracking whether they stay in the field after completing their training. States could also use the money to partner with colleges so that work experience counts toward a degree, and to hire and support supervisors who mentor the apprentices. The bill specifically encourages states to focus on underserved and rural areas, and gives priority to states that work with Native American tribes or colleges serving minority populations.

# Who This Affects and How

This primarily affects people interested in working in early childhood education who might benefit from a structured apprenticeship pathway instead of traditional college routes. It also affects daycare centers, preschools, and other early childhood programs that could participate in these apprenticeships. States would need to contribute at least 25 percent of the funding themselves, so it requires state investment. The bill aims to address a real problem: many early childhood education workers leave the field because of low pay and limited career advancement, so these apprenticeships are designed to help people earn credentials, stay employed, and potentially earn more money. Five years after the law passes, Congress will get a report on whether the programs actually increased the number of apprentices and improved job retention in early childhood education.

To direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships, and for other purposes.

Guthrie, Brett

 <p>This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants to states to develop, administer, and evaluate registered apprenticeship programs focused on early childhood education.</p>