College offers free training in pre-early childhood education

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT COLLEGE
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Sault College has partnered with several Northern Ontario Colleges and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) to develop and offer free training in pre-early childhood education. The 10-week, pre-early childhood education (Pre-ECE) certificate program, which consists of online learning and job placement, will begin at Sault College in late October 2022 and will give participants the basic skills and knowledge required to start working in early years and childcare settings.

There are no prerequisites to begin the program, and with it being offered online, learners can participate without having to leave their community. Those interested in learning more about this free training program or want to register at Sault College can contact Taylor Blair, program manager, Pre-ECE, at 705.759.2554, ext. 2479 or [email protected].

The pre-early childhood education program is intended to be a stepping-stone and introduction to the field of early childhood education to attract more individuals to the early years and childcare sector. The program was developed in response to challenges in staff shortages and recruitment efforts in the early years and childcare sector across Northern Ontario. By offering this type of program, we are able to support recruitment efforts and increase local candidate pools in this important area.

“Through strong collaboration with several Northern Ontario colleges, we have developed a program to help create awareness and excitement of the early learning sector,” said Lori Crosson, director of continuing education and e-learning. “This program will provide basic knowledge and skills to support future employment opportunities within this critical field. We encourage interested learners to reach out today to learn more about how this program can support their educational goals.”

It is the goal that upon completion of the program, these individuals will seek employment within the licensed childcare sector, thus alleviating some of the pressures the system is currently facing regarding the recruitment of needed staff. Once they are working within the field, graduates will be encouraged and supported to become a graduate of the early childhood education (ECE) diploma program and registered members of the College of ECE. To learn more about Sault College’s ECE program, visit this website.

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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