Early Learning Registered Apprenticeships Programs (ELRAPs) are an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECE) workforce pathway that allows community-based programs to train and retain staff. ELRAPs are a structured, hands-on training model designed to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed to work in early learning programs.
- ELRAPs combine paid on-the-job (OTJ) experience with classroom learning, allowing participants to earn while they learn and develop expertise in child development and learning, teaching strategies, and classroom management.
- Every apprentice participating in an ELRAP receives mentoring, which is integral to apprenticeship programs and plays a critical role in the success and retention of young apprentices (Hamilton et al., 2022).
- Employees are able to retain full-time employment and count their OTJ earned competencies towards their college degree program as they move along a career pathway.
- At each step, they earn higher pay and ECE credentials that culminate in a final college degree.
- Because of these mechanisms, ELRAPs are a proven recruitment and retention strategy. ELRAPs can increase the number of qualified ECE workers with no-cost training for employers, which improves educator diversity and raises the quality of early learning programs through the recruitment and retention of well-prepared, well-supported, and well-compensated staff.