What Apprenticeships Offer
Get Paid
Earn a paycheck while you learn. Get paid more as your skills grow.
Hands-On
Get experience in real early childhood settings.
Mentorship
Step-by-step support from experienced teachers.
How Apprenticeship Programs Work
- 1
Start where you are
- Have an associate degree? Awesome! You can jump right in. But you don't need a degree to become an apprentice!
- Just getting started? No worries—you don’t need any experience to begin.
- Want to teach older children instead? You can learn more about K-12 apprenticeships below.
- 2
Look for a local apprenticeship
In Colorado, there are a few ways to find apprenticeships:
- Early childhood centers, preschools, Head Start or early elementary schools
- Colleges and universities offering early childhood education courses
- State resources like Apprenticeship Colorado
- 3
Get hired
Once you find an apprenticeship program, follow the application process for that school district or early childhood provider.
If you already work in an early childhood setting, check whether they partner with a college for coursework. If not, your apprenticeship program will connect you with the requirements needed for your related instruction.
- 4
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice, you’ll get paid from day one. In some programs, your pay increases as your skills grow! You’ll also benefit from:
- Hands-on learning in real early learning settings.
- Mentorship from experienced teachers.
- Relationships with other staff and students—this can help when you’re ready to apply for full-time jobs.
- A clear path to earning your early childhood qualification—and, if you want to keep going, work toward an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a Colorado teaching license.
- 5
Work toward your next goal
Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll complete professional learning outside of your school hours to earn your credential, associate degree or Child Development Associate Credential.
You could even decide to continue your education at a four-year university to earn your Colorado teaching license.
- 6
Earn your Colorado Early Childhood Certificate
When you finish your apprenticeship and earned your industry-recognized certificate, here are additional options for continuing your professional learning—whatever it looks like for you:
- Apply for your Child Development Associate Credential
- Finish your associate degree
- Start teaching full-time in an early childhood role — you have more options now!
- Apply to a four-year teacher prep program to pursue your Colorado teaching license
You’ll choose the path that fits your goals.
When you complete an apprenticeship, you earn an industry-recognized certificate. Many programs also help you earn college credits, degrees or other credentials.
Teacher Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado
Talk to a Coach
If you’re interested in an apprenticeship program as your pathway to teaching, reach out to a TEACH Colorado coach. Our coaches are experienced Colorado educators who can:
- Answer your questions about apprenticeship programs
- Help you determine the best pathway for you
- Connect you with the right people to get started
- And any other questions you may have!
Start a free coaching session and talk to a coach 1-on-1, so you can take the next step in your journey with confidence.
Common Questions about Teacher Apprenticeships
Want to Learn More? Discover K-12 Apprenticeship Programs
If an apprenticeship program sounds like the pathway for you, there are even more opportunities available to get started! If you want to teach beyond early childhood, check out apprenticeships for students in K-12. You’ll work on your license while you teach, and you can also earn a bachelor’s degree based on your experience and pathway.
