Barbara Ferrer, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Debra Duardo, L.A. County superintendent of schools, speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Debra Duardo, L.A. County superintendent of schools, speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Debra Duardo, L.A. County superintendent of schools, speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Supervisor Holly Mitchell speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kelly LoBianco, director of the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Supervisor Holly Mitchell speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kelly LoBianco, director of the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kelly LoBianco, director of the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity speaks during a press conference at the Lew Sands Weltor Center in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8, 2024 to announce the launch of a free two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship program for people seeking careers in early childhood education. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity on Monday, April 8, unveiled a new two-year Assistant Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
Second District county Supervisor Holly Mitchell hosted the event to introduce the program, aimed at residents seeking careers in early childhood education.
With more than 725,000 children younger then 5 years old in L.A .County, licensed centers and family childcare homes have the capacity to serve just 7% of working parents with young children, officials said Monday.
DEO’s $1 million American Rescue Plan Act program will support 90 County residents through the program, which concludes with participants landing a California State-issued child-development permit. The program is tuition-fee. Apprentices get 180 hours of classroom training at local colleges and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job learning.
“We must provide high-quality childcare while also promoting career pathways that provide advancement opportunities and a dignified wage,” said Mitchell.
“DEO knows that our early care and education workforce needs our investment to ensure our region boasts quality jobs and career pathways for our dedicated teachers and staff while also ensuring accessible, affordable, and sufficient care so everyone who wants to work can get back to work,” said Kelly LoBianco, DEO director.
“Through this partnership, we are not just shaping careers; we are shaping lives and futures,” said county Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo.
The next cohort launches in August at Pierce College. The deadline to apply is June 30. Information: opportunity.lacounty.gov.
“Access to affordable, quality childcare is the backbone of L.A. County’s workforce,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, county director of public health. “Childcare supports stable employment and provides financial security that uplifts elements of health and wellbeing, like housing, nutrition, as well as physical and mental health.”
