Ivy Tech Evansville Announces First DOL Registered Early Childhood Apprenticeship

Ivy Tech Community College Evansville today (6-25-25) announced a first-of-its-kind Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program in early childhood education with employer partner Carver Community Organization.

Ivy Tech’s registered apprenticeship 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.

Daniela Vidal, chancellor of Ivy Tech Evansville, said the flexibility of this program and the accelerated pathway lends itself to many distinct types of offerings for both professionals in the field and those who have no prior training or work experience. “We look forward to rolling this out in a variety of formats over the next several months, as we seek to grow the skills of early childhood education professionals throughout the region.”

As an example, this summer, Ivy Tech is offering a pilot skills training program in early childhood education, which can cross walk into credit-bearing classes for those who would like to earn a credential or degree, as well as the Carver apprenticeship program. There will be another announcement forthcoming of a program for high school students and others, Vidal said.

Kelli Servizzi, executive director of early childhood pathways and initiatives with Ivy Tech, said the facets of having on-the-job training, mentors, and classroom education are essential to the success of this program. “The one-year program combines a flexible classroom schedule with real-world application of concepts in 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning hours under the supervision of an experienced mentor, all while apprentices are earning a wage.

“In strategic partnership with the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) to connect apprentices with resources and funding, Ivy Tech’s apprenticeship program strengthens Indiana’s early childhood workforce and improves the quality of the state’s early childhood education sector by retaining talented and dedicated early care and education professionals,” she added.

“The early childhood education adult-based apprenticeship is offered in partnership with TEACH Early Childhood Indiana®, US Department of Labor, and local early childhood providers,” said Andrea Boberg, program chair at Ivy Tech Evansville. “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.”  

Students participating in this program will earn high-quality credentials, including:

• Classroom Support Specialist micro-credential

• Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate from the Council for Professional Recognition
• Ivy Tech Early Childhood certificate
• Technical certificate in Early Childhood Education
• U.S. Department of Labor Journeyperson certificate

INAEYC and TEACH Early Childhood Indiana® said they are proud to announce their support of this partnership with Carver Community Organization’s registered apprenticeship cohort.

"Investing in early childhood educators means investing in the future of our communities," said Hanan Osman, executive director of INAEYC. "By supporting this apprenticeship program, we are helping individuals build rewarding careers in early childhood education while addressing the growing demand for qualified professionals in the field." INAEYC/TEACH Early Childhood® Indiana will help connect apprentices with valuable resources and funding assistance, Osman added.

Deiona Clayton, executive director of the Carver Community Organization, said, “Carver is interested in the early childhood apprenticeship program with Ivy Tech because it aligns with our mission to provide unique community centered programs.

“Well-trained, culturally competent early childhood educators are in high demand. This apprenticeship will create a pipeline of qualified staff which will support the community's childcare needs. Ivy Tech is a trusted source of higher education that will ensure the training meets our state and national standards for childcare programs.”

Clayton said that Carver staff earning their Child Development Associate credential while working, will open doors for promotions and wage increases. “This professional growth and advancement will help them serve as mentors and gain leadership experience within the center,” Clayton said.  “For the children we serve this will improve the quality of teaching in the classroom that directly impacts their school readiness and lifetime success.”

Carver’s program meets one night a week at the Center’s offices and began on June 11. Apprentices will complete the six Ivy Tech courses and work earning on-the-job training. They will also receive three wage increases as they progress. Following completion of their certificates, students can also continue to earn a technical certificate or associate degree at Ivy Tech, as well as transfer credits to a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year college or university.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America grant, one of the funders of this initiative, aims to expand and modernize registered apprenticeships by increasing participation, diversifying industries, and improving access to underserved communities. Ongoing expansion of the program is part of Ivy Tech’s ongoing commitment to more than double the number of professionals it graduates in this field over the next three years. The College’s goal is to graduate 1,950 individuals annually with industry-recognized credentials and degrees.

For more information about the early childhood education program at Ivy Tech, email Boberg at aboberg@ivytech.edu. Organizations interested in offering this opportunity to their employees as a skills-based training (non-credit) should email evansville-reg@ivytech.edu