Graduation season is in full swing. Across Missouri, proud families are cheering, tassels are turning, and new graduates are A new Registered Youth Apprenticeship program is taking shape in Callaway County, bringing together schools, community partners, and local early education centers to grow the next generation of early childhood educators.
Thanks to funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health, Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) launched the Show Me Strong Communities initiative through its Early Education Coalition, with a shared goal: to address the urgent need for affordable, high-quality early care and education in the region. One of the coalition’s key strategies? Build a pipeline of talent by giving local high school students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in early education through a formal apprenticeship.
With support from the Central Ozarks Private Industry Council (COPIC), several students will also participate in the WIOA Work Experience program to further expand access and support.
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This summer and fall, eight high school students will begin their apprenticeship journeys at five early education centers across Callaway County. These hands-on placements will equip students with valuable skills, mentorship, and exposure to meaningful career paths in a high-demand field.
This collaborative effort was made possible by an impressive coalition of partners, including school districts, child care providers, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and workforce development leaders. Key contributors include North Callaway High School, Fulton High School, early education providers like T-Bird Learning Center and Toddlers Inc, and regional partners such as the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce, Callaway Bank, and the University of Missouri’s Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center.
Please join us in celebrating this exciting step toward strengthening both the local workforce and the future of early childhood education in our region. The impact of this program will be felt not just in classrooms, but in families and communities for years to come.