Gov. Ned Lamont held a press conference in Hartford on Monday to announce a new state initiative program encouraging jobseekers to enter careers in child care.

He was joined by Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye, Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo and CSEA President Travis Woodward.

They say this registered apprenticeship is one of the first in the country for family child care and will allow for better quality care for infants, toddlers and children.

“We need more people who want to dedicate themselves to daycare, childcare, infant and toddler...speed it up, make it faster, easier,” said Lamont. “Make sure quality is never compromised. That's what this apprentice program is all about.”

Program organizers say the next step in improving child care is a pipeline program for center-based programs.