Creating and sustaining apprenticeships for early childhood education professionals
The UMass Donahue Institute supports workforce development, including servicing both job seekers and local businesses through the MassHire Greater Brockton Career Center, which operates under a charter from the MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board.
The career center’s Business Services team partners with local employers to fulfill their staffing needs. That includes both matching employers’ open positions with registered job seekers, assisting local businesses during downturns, hosting career fairs, and providing education about workforce grants.
In early 2024, Self Help, Inc., contacted MassHire to help it find qualified applicants to teach in its Head Start classrooms. Since the workforce board was concurrently interested in starting a local apprenticeship program, the workforce board Executive Director Jason Hunter convened Self Help, Inc., the career center’s business services team, and Massasoit Community College’s Early Childhood Education program. Also at the table was the Donahue Institute’s own Head Start New England Training & Technical Assistance Network in its longtime role providing assistance to Head Start grantees across New England, like Self Help, Inc.
After discussion and approval from the partners, the board became the sponsor for the new state-certified apprenticeship program. “It was a perfect storm of partners and resources,” said Hunter.
The new Childcare Development Associate (CDA) apprenticeship program goal was to train candidates to work with children ages birth to five years old. The institute’s Business Services Representative, Jeff Cahill, has been there since the program’s beginning. He’s worked closely with Self Help, Inc. to identify the right apprenticeship candidates and ensure their commitment to complete the program, which includes 2,000 hours of early childhood classroom experience, Massasoit Community College classes in childhood development, working with a job coach, creating a resource portfolio, and finally, passing the CDA certification exam.
“After the first-year cohort ended in December 2024, I followed through with them to ensure they scheduled and completed the state testing and discussed future steps with them. It’s great to see they all have grown in their positions and have been hired at Self Help, Inc. Head Start,” said Cahill.
“The CDA apprenticeship is unique in giving apprentice students more time to learn and prepare to become qualified teachers,” said Susan Driscoll, EEC Pathways Grant Director at Massasoit Community College. The apprentices take several college classes as part of the program, the cost of which is covered by the Pathways grant. Classes include curriculum development and learning to help children develop social and constructive behavior.
With the second year now underway, the apprenticeship program is making it possible for the apprentices to make personal and professional gains through hard work and lots of support. “The CDA curriculum is hard,” said Self Help, Inc. Head Start Deputy Director Nancy Sullivan. “But the apprenticeship program provides support in all of the areas the apprentices need to learn, including child development, curriculum development, and behavioral management. The program also helps the CDA apprentice create their own portfolio of resources for them to use as a new teacher.” The apprenticeship program provides not only a path to that credential but also an accompanying pay increase, plus Self Help, Inc. pays for a job coach and the CDA exam fee. Massasoit Community was able to cover the cost of the apprentices’ classes through a state grant.
Current apprentices, Yesenia and Rosana, were previously both working in support roles at Self Help, Inc.’s Head Start classrooms before becoming apprentices.
“The apprenticeship program was overwhelming at first, with the registration and working with the community college. Our coach is helpful with system questions, college homework, and our required readings,” said Yesenia. “The program’s structure is easy to fit into work and my personal life. It’s flexible for the student,” added Rosana.
Apprenticeship programs aren’t just for the trades like electricians and plumbers. With innovative thinking, the right community partners, and helpful frontline staff, the child development apprentices are supported and empowered to move upward in their careers while making sure a local employer can meet the needs of its clients.
Learn more about how the work of the Donahue Institute’s Brockton career center and the MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board supports both job seekers and employers.
December 24, 2025
