A Washington nonprofit is addressing the need for child care and on-the-job training at the same time by using an apprenticeship model, which combines paid work and certification. 

The Machinists Institute, a nonprofit created by the International Association of Machinists, runs apprenticeship programs related to aerospace and manufacturing industries. 

Shana Peschek, executive director of the institute, said many apprentices, especially women, have not been able to continue their program because of a lack of child care which could accommodate the extended schedule. To meet the need, the institute is opening its own child care center. 

“It will be available to the entire community, not just IAM members,” Peschek said. “With the main purpose of being open during nonstandard hours, to have a represented staff, and to have apprenticeship as a pathway for those teachers and assistant teachers at the child care center.”

Pescheck noted the new center will operate from 4 a.m. to nearly midnight, far longer than typical centers, and will enable more parents to stay in the program. Pescheck added the teachers at the center will be under an apprenticeship model of 80% paid on-the-job training and 20% classroom time, ending with a certificate. 

Pescheck stressed Washington has one of the highest shortages of child care in the country, with more than 140,000 children lacking access to the care they need. She argued the apprenticeship model helps build a pipeline of skilled staff, ready and willing to provide quality care. 

“Instead of just going straight to college and taking those classes, they can earn the certificates and the degrees while they’re working, and not have to pay those high tuition costs,” Peschek said. 

Though addressing the lack of child care during nonstandard hours is necessary, Peschek acknowledged it is complicated and expensive to start. Building on the experience, she added the Mechanists Institute is working with the Imagine Institute to use the model as a blueprint for mentoring other programs. 

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

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