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Committees back University‑administered early learning apprenticeship grant program
Summary
Senate committees on Higher Education and Education recommended passage of HB 549, HD3 to create an early learning apprenticeship grant program administered by the University of Hawaii; proponents said apprenticeships address workforce shortages, while DOE and committee members asked about scale, cost and program structure.
The Senate Committee on Higher Education (joint with the Committee on Education) recommended passage of House Bill 549, HD3, on March 17, 2025. The bill would establish an early learning apprenticeship grant program to be administered by the University of Hawaii, funding registered apprenticeship pathways for early childhood professionals and wage supplements for participating providers.
Yuko Arikawa Cross, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL), testified the office supports the measure and defers to the University of Hawaii on implementation and funding details. "Early learning registered apprenticeship programs provide aspiring early childhood professionals with structured hands on experience, employer paid classroom learning, and comprehensive support to advance their careers," Arikawa Cross told the joint committees. She said many entrants to early learning are nontraditional students who benefit from wraparound supports.
Nathan Murata, dean of the College of Education at UH Mānoa, testified that UH would be available to implement grant criteria and work with EOEL and counties. Committee members questioned program scale and cost. Witnesses said an existing registered apprenticeship model has launched at Honolulu Community College and that the three‑year apprenticeship leads to an associate degree; apprentices are expected to work for sponsoring providers for a defined service period and a payback requirement applies if they do not fulfill service commitments.
Committee members pressed what level of funding the bill seeks and whether a smaller pilot could be scaled. Testimony in the hearing referenced a proposed funding figure (the proponents said they adjusted prior asks downward in their latest flyer), and committee discussion noted an illustrative or requested first‑year figure of roughly $7.6 million to cover program expansion and a wage supplement component. University and EOEL attendees said Castle Foundation support and other partners are contributing to early startup activity and that the bill’s language leaves amounts blank for committee action; the committee’s recommendation included non‑substantive and technical amendments and a deferred effective date.
The joint committee recorded votes in both committees: Higher Education's recorded roll called three members present and voting aye; the Education committee also recorded an aye vote in its committee record. The committees adopted the recommendation to pass HB 549, HD3, with the updated committee report to set final funding and technical language in follow‑up work.
