Sixteen British Columbians are qualified and working as certified early childhood educators, thanks to a Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project from the Government of British Columbia.

“There’s a great need for early childhood educators, locally and throughout the province,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “It’s good to know that graduates of this project are in high demand. Parents will be able to go to work knowing their children are in safe and qualified hands.”

Last year, the Province provided more than $300,000 to Sprott Shaw College in Nanaimo to deliver full-time education, certification courses and work experience through its early childhood education certificate program.

“This partnership is a great example of how committed we are to recruiting and investing in the child care professionals we need throughout B.C.,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “Our Childcare BC goal is to help children get the best start in life, and early childhood educators are vital in setting our kids up for success by helping develop their critical thinking, communication and social skills.”

Participants received theory and virtual classroom education in life-skills development and occupational skills, as well as 10 weeks of supervised work placement and one week of supported job search.

“For families in Nanaimo, having more qualified early childhood educators means more safe, affordable, quality child care options when and where they need them,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “This new CEP project in Nanaimo helps meet British Columbia’s goal of universal $10-a-day child care, working with communities and child care providers.”

Funding for this project was provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s CEP. CEP’s investments are targeted towards projects that support an inclusive economic recovery. CEP supports B.C. job seekers’ training and work experience leading to employment and aids businesses and communities to address labour market challenges. CEP invests $15 million annually in communities throughout B.C.

“The implications of having quality early child care available are far reaching and long lasting, making a difference not only in the individual’s life, but a difference for whole communities,” said Victor Tesan, president, Sprott Shaw College. “A collaboration such as this has enabled Sprott Shaw College to be able to provide the education and training for future early childhood educators who will go on to make a positive difference in the lives of so many.”

Full-time, group-based classroom learning for the project occurred from September 2020 to September 2021. Anyone interested in finding out more about upcoming CEP projects can contact their local WorkBC centre.

Learn More:

Learn how CEPs are helping local communities: www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/Community-and-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

Learn about how WorkBC can help find British Columbians jobs that are right for them: www.workbc.ca/rightforyou

Find your local WorkBC centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/WorkBC-Centres-Listing.aspx

Sprott Shaw College: sprottshaw.com/campus/nanaimo-college-campus-sprott-shaw-college/