Kelly Simak at KHON2 News at 10 reports Hawaiʻi’s shortage of Early Childhood Educators continues to impact families across the State, contributing to long waitlists and limited access to quality care. A new proposal aims to address the challenge by creating a clear, supported pathway into the profession. Officials said an Early Learning Apprenticeship Program could help recruit, train and retain more Educators. The proposed legislation would establish a paid Apprenticeship Model that combines coursework with hands-on classroom experience. The goal is to make entering the field more accessible while ensuring new Educators receive the training and mentorship they need to succeed. Grants administered by the University of Hawaiʻi would help providers cover training, mentorship and wage costs, with priority given to programs serving infants and toddlers, where the need for care is often greatest. Apprentices would be able to support classrooms while gaining real-world experience and building the skills required to become fully qualified Educators. Officials say this Apprenticeship approach can help strengthen teaching teams, reduce turnover and expand access to high quality early learning for local families.

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