Woodcraft Rangers’ Together Rising Los Angeles (TRLA) Apprenticeship Program creates more accessible pathways to continuing higher education for frontline staff.
When asked about her experience, Vivian Estrada shared, TRLA “has been so, so good to me. It was the motivation I needed to go back to school. I was doing something I loved, working with children, and learning about the way they grow. I am now so close to my cohort and have gained so many opportunities to grow myself as an educator and as a person. I appreciate the endless support from the staff and our professors.”
Launched in 2024, TRLA is Southern California’s first registered apprenticeship for early childhood educators and expanded learning professionals—one of only three programs of its kind nationwide. It is also one of just two expanded learning apprenticeships in California, with Woodcraft Rangers as the only employer-led initiative in Southern California. The inaugural cohort includes 14 dedicated participants paving the way for a more inclusive, supported educator pipeline.
Developed under the leadership of Dr. Barbara K. Ige, Director of Lifecraft College & Career Pathways at Woodcraft Rangers, the program was initially supported by Kaiser Permanente and is now funded by the Keck Foundation. Dr. Ige was tasked with creating pathways for frontline staff to access higher education and advance their careers. The result: a groundbreaking partnership between Woodcraft Rangers, East Los Angeles Community College (ELAC), and Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS).
TRLA offers participants a clear, structured, supported journey toward professional advancement by combining paid work experience, cost-free college courses at ELAC, and personalized mentorship to help staff earn their Associate Teacher Permit and prepare for transfer to a four-year university.
Tuition and fees are fully covered through a $1.125 million grant from the California Community Colleges’ California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI): New and Innovative Program. “They don’t have to worry about tuition, they’re earning while they learn, and by the time they finish, they’re debt-free and ready to take that next step toward a four-year university,” explains Sarai Vasquez, Apprenticeship Manager at Woodcraft Rangers.
Through strategic partnerships and a focus on individualized support, TRLA serves as a successful model others are eager to replicate. The TRLA team, including Dr. Ige, Vazquez, and Apprenticeship Manager, Mirna Alegria, recently shared their insights at the 4th Annual ECEPTS National Conference in Austin, TX, where they led the interactive workshop “Supporting ECE Apprentices in Balancing Work, School, and Family Commitments.” Dr. Ige was also featured in a spotlight interview by ECEPTS. As demand for quality apprenticeship models grows, the TRLA team continues to be invited to speak at conferences, lead trainings, and support other organizations in building their own pathways programs.
TRLA is a three-year program with intentionally designed support strategies that factor in the complex life challenges often hindering those pursuing higher education. These challenges are further exacerbated by socioeconomic instability, generational trauma, caregiving responsibilities, inconsistent access to reliable transportation, and the need to work full-time while attending school.
Since its launch, TRLA’s inaugural cohort of 14 apprentices has achieved a 100% retention rate, which is a powerful testament to the program’s responsive and holistic design. After 9 months into the program, 11 of the 14 apprentices have earned their Child Development Associate Teacher Skills Certificate through the Child, Family and Education Studies Department at ELAC.
In addition to ECE coursework and paid employment with Woodcraft Rangers, program participants also attend meetings and workshops that help with financial aid and scholarships, as well as trainings that develop skills and confidence in working effectively with young children.
“Being part of the TRLA program with Woodcraft Rangers has been one of the most life-changing experiences of my school life,” says Jazlyn Corona, a newly elevated Site Coordinator at LAUSD’s George de la Torre Jr. Elementary School, who joined TRLA in Fall 2024. Corona continues,
Everyone who is part of TRLA deeply cares about our success within the program because they go above and beyond to ensure we are well taken care of and have all the resources we need. TRLA has given me more than I could imagine. I have people that I can count on and a space that feels safe, where I can discover my strengths, ask questions, and be myself. I will forever carry the lessons and friendships I made with this program.
Investments in early learning not only improve program quality at Woodcraft Rangers but also open doors for staff to explore meaningful careers throughout the early education and expanded learning fields. Apprentices build a foundation in human development and the importance of play, while also gaining an understanding of social-emotional learning and strategies for creating nurturing classroom environments.
The program supports staff retention and provides exposure to a range of career pathways, enabling participants to serve youth in ways that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.
These principles aren’t just theoretical, they’re woven into the apprentices’ daily practice, helping them create responsive, inclusive environments that support both youth and their own professional identities. By embedding these pillars into the apprenticeship model, TRLA fosters a workforce that is not only credentialed but also deeply reflective, compassionate, and equipped to lead in and out of the classroom.
To learn more about the apprenticeship program, click here.