WWP February 19, 2026 | e-News
Building Oregon’s Child Care Workforce:
What to Expect from The New Registered Apprenticeship Program
Access to affordable, reliable childcare is one of the biggest barriers facing Oregon’s workforce, and one of the most critical issues employers continue to raise. To help address this challenge, Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP), is supporting the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency’s (MWVCAA) Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) new early learning apprenticeship initiative, the Willamette Valley Early Learning Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC).
This apprenticeship is designed to strengthen the childcare workforce in our region while creating new, accessible career pathways for workers who have been laid off, are long-term unemployed, latent workers, or individuals transitioning to different careers in an uncertain economy. Currently, there are only three other registered apprenticeship programs in the state of Oregon.
What to expect:
Through this initiative, the CRRS recruits, screens, and enrolls participants into a registered apprenticeship program that combines paid, on-the-job training with education and skill development. Participants also receive comprehensive workforce support through WWP’s contractor, the Community Services Consortium (CSC), and WorkSource Oregon, to ensure they are fully supported from day one through job placement and follow-up. The program prioritizes measurable outcomes like credentials earned, skills gained, and long-term gainful employment.
Why this matters:
Oregon’s childcare sector is facing a well-documented workforce shortage, limiting some parents’ ability to return to work and employers’ ability to recruit and retain talent. Recent reporting has highlighted that even small increases in the number of trained childcare professionals can have great economic impact, opening more early learning classrooms, expanding provider capacity, and enabling more parents to participate in the workforce. Apprenticeships are especially powerful in this field because they reduce financial barriers, create career stability, and professionalize early learning roles that are essential to our regional economy.
Through WWP’s Future Ready Oregon Prosperity funding, the apprenticeship program has enrolled 17 individuals. Nine are on track to complete by June 2026. While there have been a few hard lessons learned throughout the first year of the program, overall, the apprenticeship model continues to demonstrate strong outcomes, with a 93% retention rate for educators and apprentices participating in the program, substantially higher than the ~30% national early childhood retention rate.
In addition, CCRRS is seeing meaningful impact on the ongoing pipeline: four apprentices from the current cohort entered directly after high school, and several participants have shared that the structured support and clear career pathway have strengthened their commitment to continuing their education and building a long-term career in early learning, which is strengthening the workforce to meet the needs of families.
How this advances WWP’s mission:
This program directly supports WWP’s commitment to building a skilled workforce, supporting employers, and addressing barriers to employment. By investing in early learning professionals, we are strengthening local infrastructure, supporting working families, and creating accessible pathways into high-demand careers. This apprenticeship program represents a practical, people-centered solution that moves our region closer to a thriving economy with prosperous communities. We want to commend CCRRS for their work in this critical area of workforce development.
The Child Care Works for Oregon Employer Toolkit Supports Local Businesses
The Child Care Works for Oregon Employer Toolkit provides Mid- Valley employers with practical, scalable strategies to support working families without requiring a one-size-fits-all approach. Employers can explore options such as flexible scheduling, predictable shifts, childcare stipends, shared services with other businesses, or partnerships with local providers. The toolkit breaks down costs, highlights real employer examples, and connects businesses to state and community resources, making it easier to act in ways that align with local workforce needs. For small and mid-sized employers, these tools offer realistic entry points to improve retention and recruitment in a competitive labor market.
For every 10 children who may need care, only 3–4 licensed childcare slots are available in much of the Mid-Valley.
This shortage is most acute for:
- Infants and toddlers
- Non-standard hours (health care, manufacturing, hospitality)
- Lower-wage, working families
When employers invest in childcare solutions, their business and employee families benefit. Reliable childcare helps parents stay in the workforce, reduces absenteeism, and improves employee retention. That stability strengthens the Mid-Valley’s economy, supports essential industries, and helps ensure companies have the skilled talent they need to grow. By exploring the Child Care Works for Oregon Employer Toolkit, local employers can take practical steps to remove employment barriers, build a more dependable workforce, and invest in a stronger regional economy.
Please find a link to the Child Care Works for Oregon Employer Toolkit below.
WorkSource is providing assistance with taxes…click the images below for more information and to access the QR codes!
