MAAC and Palomar College Celebrate the Success of Inaugural Cohort of Early Care & Education Apprenticeship Program

Celebrating the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators

MAAC and Palomar College proudly recognized the successful completion of its first cohort of the Next Level Early Care & Education (ECE) Apprenticeship Program at an event held on March 3, 2025, at Palomar College. The event honored the hard work and dedication of 20 teacher apprentices, marking a significant milestone for the future of early childhood education in San Diego County.

The Next Level ECE Apprenticeship Program is the first early childhood education apprenticeship program in Southern California and the second in the state of California to be officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Through this innovative two-year program, teacher apprentices earn while they learn—completing college coursework through Palomar College while gaining paid, hands-on experience at a MAAC early learning center under the guidance of a mentor. Upon program completion, participants are qualified to apply for their Associate Teacher Permit and prepared for full-time employment working with children in our local communities.

“This program is a testament to the power of collaboration, the strength of our community, and our shared commitment to the children in our care,” said Dr. Alexis Aviña, MAAC’s Chief Early Childhood Education Officer. “By investing in our apprentices, we are investing in the future of our children and families.”

Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Superintendent/President of Palomar College, highlighted the program’s impact, stating, “The beauty of this program and our partnership with MAAC is that we’ve removed the obstacles that often stand in the way of student success. By offering college courses in the community, covering tuition and childcare costs, and providing paid on-the-job training, we’re not only creating a workforce pipeline for high-quality early childhood educators but also providing economic mobility opportunities for families across North County.”

During the event, Arnulfo Manriquez, MAAC President & CEO, emphasized the program’s profound impact, stating, “this initiative is more than just about creating jobs—it’s about transformation. Many of our apprentices come from MAAC families, creating a full-circle impact where those we once served are now stepping up to serve the next generation.”

Program Highlights

The first cohort’s achievements reflect the program’s success in developing a skilled and diverse early childhood education workforce:

20 apprentices successfully completed the program, with an impressive 92% retention rate.
Apprentices reflect diverse backgrounds, including recent high school graduates and working parents balancing family, school, and career aspirations.
100% of participants identify as individuals from historically underrepresented communities, with 95% identifying as English language learners.
Collectively, apprentices completed 40,000+ hours of on-the-job training and attended over 50 professional development workshops.
19 apprentices have applied for their Associate Teacher Permit, and 11 have already secured permanent roles in MAAC’s Child Development program.

Staff Highlights

MAAC would like to recognize the dedicated team whose hard work and commitment were instrumental in making this program a success. A heartfelt thank you to Abigail Velazquez and Stephen Andrew, MAAC Apprenticeship Specialists, and Barbara Garcia, MAAC ECE Apprenticeship Program Manager, for their leadership and dedication to program apprentices.

MAAC is also grateful for their valued partners—ECEPTS, Palomar College, and San Diego Workforce Partnership—for their collaboration in bringing this program to life. Additionally, appreciation goes to Palomar Family Counseling Services for providing essential mental health support and Jewish Family Services for their invaluable workshop contributions.

What’s Next? Expanding Opportunities for Future Educators

With Cohort 2 already underway and applications opening for Cohort 3, MAAC and Palomar College remain committed to growing the program, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring more aspiring educators receive the support and training needed to thrive in the field of early childhood education.
As the program’s official apprenticeship sponsor and intermediary, ECEPTS continues to provide technical assistance and support to ensure the program’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Cohort 3 of the Next Level ECE Apprenticeship Program will welcome 32 apprentices, an expansion from the 23 spots available previous cohorts. Applications are now open until April 30, with participant selection taking place in May. The next cohort will begin in July 2025.

Apply Today! For more information about MAAC’s ECE Apprenticeship Program and to apply, visit MAACproject.org/NextLevel-ECE.