Santa Fe Community College says Apprende apprenticeship is expanding early‑childhood workforce

Santa Fe Community College officials presented evaluation results Oct. 22 to the City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee showing the Apprende apprenticeship program has produced new early‑childhood educators, supported workforce retention and increased classroom staffing.

The external evaluation and program managers showed the program—funded with $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars in 2022—has produced measurable placements and training outcomes and is approaching the end of its contract, which city staff said is scheduled to be expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

Katrin Allred, executive director of the Early Childhood Center of Excellence (ECHO) at Santa Fe Community College, told the committee the program uses a three‑pronged apprenticeship model that links college coursework, employer‑based mentoring and a competency rubric to on‑the‑job performance. "This is the state's first education‑related apprenticeship," Allred said, describing the program as a pipeline both to recruit new workers and to support retention among existing staff.

Crystal Sanchez, Apprende program manager, said the program offers a pre‑apprenticeship practicum (up to about 150 hours per semester) and a registered apprenticeship that combines demonstrated…