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The , housed in the University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ , aims to dismantle structural barriers and gaps to early childhood education workforce preparation and inadequate salary compensation that have existed for decades. One of the ways is through innovative cross-campus workforce development strategies for students.

person helping kids in a classroom

UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯²õ College of Education has been working with ¡¯²õ ECED program and Keiki O Ka ʻ?ina Family Learning Centers (KOKA) to launch the state¡¯²õ first early childhood education registered apprenticeship program through KOKA.

This “earn while you learn” program offers apprentices full-time work while they are enrolled in a three-year program to earn an associate¡¯²õ degree in ECED. With the completion of each milestone, the apprentices receive a wage increase.

Paid apprenticeship

One of KOKA¡¯²õ first apprentices is Chenelle Christian, who is employed as an aide at KOKA¡¯²õ Ka Pua Preschool, located in ²Ñ¨¡ʻ¾±±ô¾±, Oʻahu. She has a goal of becoming a preschool lead teacher or opening her own day care program.

With strong support from her husband and their four boys, ages 14, 11, 10 and 5, Christian enrolled in her first semester at Honolulu CC during the 2023–24 academic year.

“To be in a job, while going to school, has made a huge difference. This [apprenticeship program] fits the type of learner that I am,” Christian said. “I love that I get to apply what I learn from my mentor and my college instructors while interacting with preschool children.”

Christian also credits her “very encouraging” instructors at Honolulu CC. She is on target to complete her first of three milestones, a Child Development Associate, a nationally recognized credential, in May 2025.

Learn more about the .

This program exemplifies UH¡¯²õ strategic imperative to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, part of the UH System¡¯²õ strategic plan¡¯²õ focus on workforce development.

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