Evansville, IN – Ivy Tech Community College Evansville, is now accepting students for a registered Department of Labor Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program in Jasper, on Aug. 25. The program is designed to strengthen Indiana’s early care and education workforce by expanding high-quality post-secondary education and training options for early childhood education professionals.
The classes – Early Childhood Education 100 and 101 – are planned to be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:50-10:20 a.m. (EST) at TRI-CAP, 607 Third Ave., Jasper, IN for 8 weeks.
The Early Childhood Educator apprenticeship offers an accelerated path to a career in education. Those completing the program will earn a:
- Classroom Support Specialist Program Micro-Credential
- Child Development Associate (CDA) certification
- Early Childhood Certificate from Ivy Tech Community College (which can be seamlessly stacked so individuals can go on to pursue their associate degree)
- U.S. Department of Labor Journeyperson certificate
Participants may also qualify for the TEACH Early Childhood Indiana scholarship. Through this, tuition and textbook support may be provided.
The apprenticeship requires 2,000 hours of working in the field, so this program may be ideal for individuals who are working in the childcare field currently, who do not have these credentials, said Andrea Boberg, program chair at Ivy Tech. “We are working together to provide opportunities for local providers and staff to increase their professional skills and knowledge along with wages and overall program quality.”
On June 25, Ivy Tech Evansville announced this first-of-its kind DOL registered apprenticeship in Indiana with employer partner Carver Community Organization. and improves the quality of the state’s early childhood education sector by retaining talented and dedicated early care and education professionals.”
Ivy Tech Chancellor Daniela Vidal said a variety of versions of this program are, or soon will be, initiated, including one designed for high school students offered during the school day during the 2026-27 school year.
There will also be skills training classes offered in the near future. This summer, 10 students are finishing a pilot skills class. This 60-hour self-paced, online course has a 90-hour component of hands-on learning as students work and learn in the field.
