Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) has teamed up with Lipscomb University in Nashville to establish the state’s first Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Hub, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing workforce shortages in early childhood education.
The program offers aspiring teachers a tuition-free pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education while gaining valuable hands-on experience through paid apprenticeships. Lipscomb University’s Foundations to Futures program serves as the model, allowing participants to complete online coursework alongside work in early learning settings. Tuition, books, and related expenses are fully covered for qualifying students.
“This isn’t just an education issue, it’s a workforce issue that impacts families and employers across Tennessee,” said TDLWD Commissioner Deniece Thomas. “Reliable childcare is essential to a functioning economy. By investing in early educators, we’re strengthening our workforce from the ground up.”
Nationwide, only 30% of childcare center-based early educators hold a bachelor’s degree, contributing to ongoing staffing shortages and limited access to quality childcare. This apprenticeship program seeks to remove educational barriers, helping to build a pipeline of qualified professionals prepared to meet the increasing demand for early childhood education services.