EDvance College Presents at NAEYC: An Energizing Conversation About Strengthening the ECE Workforce!

EDvance College had the opportunity to present at the annual National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference alongside our Director of Workforce Development, Anna Wolde-Yohannes, President Dr. Lygia Stebbing, and our long-standing employer partner, Felton Institute. Felton’s COO, Dr. Yohana I. Quiróz, and ECE REACH Workforce Development and Student Success Director, Dr. Gigi Munoz, joined us to share our groundbreaking work on “Integrating Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning to Strengthen the ECE Workforce.” 

It was inspiring to be in a room full of early childhood leaders from across the country. We were particularly proud to share the stage with Felton Institute, one of our long-standing employer partners. Their commitment to educator growth is evident, with more than 64 Felton educators currently enrolled in EDvance pathways. Together, we highlighted how strong higher-ed and employer partnerships can open meaningful doors for the workforce.

Our session brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from community colleges, early childhood centers, Family Child Care (FCC) providers, and various workforce development programs. The energy was palpable, with so many individuals eager to talk about innovative solutions to address the critical needs of the ECE workforce. 

Our presentation covered the following topics:

• Understand how Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and Earn & Learn Pathways can serve as scalable workforce solutions. These models offer a powerful blend of practical experience and academic learning, preparing individuals for successful careers while addressing workforce shortages.
• Examine best practices for higher ed employer partnerships integrating on-the-job learning. Our model emphasizes the crucial collaboration between educational institutions and employers, creating a seamless practice-based learning.
• Explore funding and policy strategies for expansion and sustainability. We delved into how to secure the resources needed to grow and maintain these vital programs, ensuring their long-term impact.

A major highlight was the overwhelming interest in our successful FCC and non-registered apprenticeships. We had fantastic conversations about how we can creatively serve our mixed-delivery providers, ensuring that every facet of the early childhood education landscape benefits from accessible pathways to professional growth. The thoughtful questions from the audience truly demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening the ECE workforce.

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