Camp Fire First Texas, located in Fort Worth, has announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) approved the first Early Education Apprenticeship Program in Texas. This new program will be administered by Camp Fire First Texas in North Texas.
“The approval from the DOL is a critical factor for the Early Education Apprentice Program (EEAP) because it solidifies the program as a state-recognized apprenticeship which includes a state issued, non-expiring Child Care Development Specialist credential in addition to providing support of mandatory wage increases, on-the-job learning, coaching from a highly-skilled early education mentor, and accumulation of college credit,” said Lyn Lucas, Chief Program Office at Camp Fire First Texas.
The two-year EEAP will begin accepting applications and admitting the inaugural group of apprentices in early 2020 and will run congruent to collegiate schedules when classes begin in August.
The inaugural class will enroll 20 individuals. Upon completion of the EEAP, apprentices will:
- Earn a non-expiring Child Care Development Specialist Certificate from the Department of Labor
- Earn college credit through Tarrant County College and Tarleton State University
- Have their apprenticeship experience recognized by the Texas Early Childhood Career Lattice for Practitioners
- Be able to negotiate for higher wages
“Following the inaugural class in August 2020, we plan to enroll another 20-plus early educators to the program annually. We will continue to explore and engage a multitude of partners and sources of sustainable funding as the program grows and our apprentices graduate,” said Lucas.
Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) will be offered in partnership with: Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, Tarrant County Community College, Tarleton University, and Teacher Education and Compensation Helps.
