By Tiffany Williams –
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has secured more than $6 million in federal funding to boost apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts, with a major focus on training early childhood educators.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Apprentice Standards landed two grants from the U.S. Department of Labor: a $1 million formula grant to support Registered Apprenticeships statewide, and a $5 million competitive grant to create 275 early childhood educator apprenticeships. Officials said the $5 million award is the largest in the program’s history.
Governor Maura Healey said the investment will help expand apprenticeship programs that offer workers on-the-job training, credentials, and career pathways, while also lowering child care costs. “Our administration is committed to expanding Registered Apprenticeship to support business growth, create a stronger workforce, and strengthen our economic competitiveness across Massachusetts,” Healey said.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, “These grants will help us not only achieve our goals but further our efforts and reach even more individuals and businesses.”
The state plans to use the funding to launch a Technical Assistance Hub for early childhood education apprenticeships, provide incentives for employers to scale programs, and partner with community colleges to create pre-apprenticeships for high school students.
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones said the program is already making an impact. “As we scale Registered Apprenticeship to build the workforce among early childhood educators, we have registered 269 apprentices in this field and this grant positions Massachusetts for building on this momentum,” she said.
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said the funding will accelerate progress on boosting educator pay, cutting vacancies, and expanding child care availability. “This $6 million investment will accelerate this work, helping us to continue reducing child care costs for families and strengthening the early education and care workforce,” he said.
Senate President Karen Spilka called the grants a “game-changer” for the child care sector, while Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw said apprenticeships will give educators “hands-on experience and a clear career pathway.”
Massachusetts has prioritized apprenticeships in industries like education, healthcare, clean energy, manufacturing, and life sciences. Since January 2023, the state has registered nearly 2,000 new apprentices and 269 new apprenticeship programs, while awarding more than $10 million in state and federal apprenticeship grants.
Officials said the latest investment will help stabilize staffing, open more child care seats, and strengthen the state’s long-term workforce pipeline.