Ivy Tech Community College is offering two opportunities designed to strengthen Indiana’s early childhood education workforce and provide educators with flexible pathways to build skills and credentials.

Free Early Childhood Micro-Credentials and Assessments: Through support from Lilly Endowment Inc., Ivy Tech is offering free, self-paced micro-credentials aligned with Indiana’s Core Knowledge and Competencies. The four-week online programs take approximately 20–24 hours to complete, may be used toward Child Development Associate credential renewal and can crosswalk to academic credit. Online competency-based assessments also allow educators to receive credit for skills they have already developed through their work with children.

Early Childhood Education Apprenticeships: Ivy Tech also sponsors federally registered early childhood education teacher apprenticeships for both adults and high school students. The college can assist employers interested in hosting high school apprentices as well as early care and education providers that want to establish apprenticeship opportunities for current employees.

Together, these programs provide employers and early childhood educators with additional tools to strengthen skills, develop career pathways and build Indiana’s early learning workforce.

Learn more about Ivy Tech’s free early childhood micro-credentials and assessments and its Childhood High School Apprenticeship.

Camille D. Blunt is the Indiana Chamber’s vice president of government affairs. She has served as the legislative director for the City of Indianapolis and has worked in public affairs for law firms in central Indiana. She joined the organization in July 2025.