SF2606 Summary

• Establishes an early childhood registered apprenticeship grant program administered by the commissioner of human services in coordination with the commissioner of labor and industry to provide employment-based training and mentoring for early childhood workers.

• Apprentices may receive up to $10,000 in higher education scholarships for up to 24 months if enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program, participating in TEACH scholarship program, meeting monthly with a mentor, and working toward an early childhood degree.

• Mentors receive up to $4,000 per apprentice mentored upon completing eight weeks of mentor training plus observation training at no cost; early childhood programs receive up to $5,000 for the first apprentice and $2,500 for each additional apprentice, capped at three apprentices per site in a 12-month period.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 for the apprenticeship grant program, plus $250,000 annually for curriculum grants to postsecondary institutions and $500,000 annually for workforce development scholarships dedicated to early childhood students.