JCC Roundtable Spurs Early Childhood Apprenticeships at Little Lukes Preschool

Meeting regional employer needs remains central to the mission of Jefferson Community College (JCC) Workforce Solutions. 

In June 2024, JCC Workforce Solutions hosted an education industry apprenticeship roundtable, bringing together regional employers to discuss workforce challenges and skills gaps in early childhood education. Participants also learned about funding opportunities available through the State University of New York (SUNY) Apprenticeship Program to support the launch of registered apprenticeships.

Through collaboration with Jefferson Workforce Solutions, the SUNY Apprenticeship Program, and the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), employers may receive up to $6,000 to launch and sustain a registered apprenticeship program. Registered apprenticeships enable employees to earn wages while completing structured, on-the-job training aligned with industry-recognized competencies.

Representatives from Little Lukes Preschool, which operates six centers across Central New York, attended the roundtable. Employer feedback informed the structure and content of Jefferson’s Pre-Apprenticeship Community-Based Training Teacher Assistant program. When the program launched in January 2025, two Little Lukes employees enrolled.

In February 2025, Little Lukes launched a registered apprenticeship model with support from the SUNY Apprenticeship Program. By August 2025, the organization became a NYSDOL-approved employer sponsor, authorized to offer formal registered apprenticeships to its employees.

Carrie Pruett, Center Director at Little Lukes’ Pulaski location, said, “The registered apprenticeship program supports professional growth for our employees while strengthening our workforce. As an organization, it enhances staff retention, program quality, and long-term stability for our preschool community.”

“Apprenticeship is a powerful workforce development tool,” said Joanna Brislan, Director of Military Enrollment and Workforce Solutions at Jefferson. “It creates a direct pathway for individuals to gain high-demand skills while earning a paycheck.”

Jefferson Workforce Solutions worked with Little Lukes to align curriculum offerings with the competencies required for the childcare assistant trade and coordinated informational sessions led by its apprenticeship business developer to educate employees about program benefits.

“Jefferson Workforce Solutions provided clear guidance and hands-on support, helping educate our staff and managers at every step of the registered apprenticeship process,” said Pruett. “Their assistance made it easy for us to participate in a program that supports attracting and retaining high-quality staff for our inclusive preschool program and other local daycare providers.”

Through this partnership, Jefferson and Little Lukes are preparing to welcome a new cohort of Childcare Assistant apprentices in spring 2026, further strengthening the early childhood education workforce across Central New York.

Businesses interested in launching a registered apprenticeship or customized training program may contact JCC Workforce Solutions at (315) 786-2233 or ced@sunyjefferson.edu for more information.