Finding a solution to childcare shortages
When it comes to technical education, apprenticeships offer a unique and valuable pathway for students by combining practical, hands-on experience with formal classroom learning. Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) collaborates with local industries to provide more than 20 apprenticeship programs, creating meaningful opportunities for students to grow in their career fields.
In recent years, the College has been adding non-traditional apprenticeship opportunities as a collaborative effort with local industries in desperate need of skilled workers. One new MPTC apprenticeship opportunity aims to tackle shortages experienced in early childhood facilities through a unique partnership with QuadCare, a childcare center for the children of Quad employees and community members in Lomira and Sussex.
“Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Apprenticeship with QuadCare follows Moraine Park’s ECE program,” Kim Spartz, experiential learning specialist at Moraine Park, said. “They will complete the online program in two years, and at the end of the program they will take the Transition to Trainer course, which will allow them to become mentors for future QuadCare apprentices. We are excited to see this partnership grow—fueling QuadCare’s workforce and offering our district communities options for childcare for years to come.”
Quad is a global marketing experience company headquartered out of Sussex, Wisconsin. They employ about 15,000 people in 14 countries worldwide, and eight of their 23 U.S. facilities are in Wisconsin. As a fully functional business-to-business solution, they primarily rely on creating and maintaining a robust workforce, and offering a benefit package that includes childcare is one way they ensure organizational success.
In the spring 2024 semester, Kylie Sampson began her Moraine Park apprenticeship at QuadCare. Sampson rotates through each classroom, allowing her to work with each age group and develop an understanding of the individualized classroom functions.
“I originally heard about the opportunity from my dad because he works at Quad, and he knew this is the career I wanted to pursue,” Sampson said. “I am looking forward to learning how to build relationships with both the children and parents and applying what I learn directly into the classroom.”
Sampson was hired at QuadCare in January. As part of being the sponsoring center, Quad enrolls their apprentices as full-time employees, meaning they are fully compensated, have access to full-time benefits, free childcare for their children and Quad pays for the entirety of their schooling.
“The job market is very competitive right now, and we aren’t seeing many people enter or stay in Early Childhood education anymore,” Nikki Sharp, director of QuadCare, said. “The fact that our apprentices can earn a full-time paycheck with benefits and still get that training alongside of it makes this apprenticeship a competitive career opportunity.”
As a Moraine Park apprenticeship student, Sampson has full access to all student resources at the College, including counseling, disability resources, tutoring and student life—everything is available for her to be successful and maximize her college experience.
“This career field truly requires a passion and love for teaching and guiding children,” Sharp said. “We have many long-term staff members who have established successful careers here, and we are excited and hopeful to welcome more childcare workers to QuadCare through Moraine Park’s apprenticeship program.”
Unlike standard degree programs, apprentices are recruited directly through a local business, allowing the students and employer to establish a working relationship from day one. As part of the education process, this also gives the employer a unique perspective of the student experience—helping to ensure success for their employee both in the classroom and in their career.
“The apprenticeship program is super flexible, and finding balance between working and taking our courses has been easy,” Sampson said. “I am normally pretty shy, but working with children has really brought me out of my shell. So, I would tell anyone interested in the opportunity that you don’t have to be super outgoing to find a meaningful career in this field.”
For more program and degree information: morainepark.edu/academics/clusters/apprenticeship-programs/
