Confederation College Offers Free Training in Early Childhood Education

THUNDER BAY, ON, October 15, 2022 – Confederation College has partnered with several Northern Ontario Colleges and Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) to create free access to training for a new Pre-Early Childhood Education Certificate program. The goal of the program is to attract more individuals to the early years and childcare sector and increase local candidate pools.

This program was created in response to challenges in staff shortages and recruitment efforts in the early years and childcare sector across Northern Ontario. The program will be offered online, with no need for learners to leave their communities.

“This innovative program provides flexible learning solutions for communities across northwestern Ontario” says Vice-President Academic, Richard Gemmill. “Confederation College’s partnership on this exciting initiative will have a positive impact on so many communities across northwestern Ontario.”

The 10-week program is delivered online, and it is intended to be a stepping-stone to introduce individuals to the field of early childhood education. With no prerequisites required, the program will give participants the basic skills and knowledge required to start working in early years and childcare settings.

“We are pleased to see this important program move forward,” says Bill Bradica, Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board. “This initiative provides a great opportunity to increase the human resources capacity in the Child Care system, leading to a decrease in the waitlist of licensed spaces.”

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.

“The pre-ECE certificate will provide essential, critical and foundational knowledge to those interested in pursuing a career in the field of Early Childhood Education,” said Carly Rich, Early Childhood Educator Program Coordinator.

Once they are working within the field, graduates will be encouraged and supported through their continued journey to becoming an ECE through the completion of an ECE apprenticeship or ECE diploma program.

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

There are no pre-requisites to the 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 or want to register at Confederation College can contact Carly Rich, Early Childhood Educator Program Coordinator, at 807-475-6289 or crich1@confederationcollege.ca