Assiniboine receives $11.4 million for expanded ECE programs

Assiniboine Community College will soon offer more opportunities to train as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), thanks to an $11.4 million investment from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada.

A federal-provincial announcement last week, of a significant investment in early learning and child-care training and education, will translate into more programs and more seats at Assiniboine for those hoping to become certified ECEs.

“I’m thrilled to see our governments come to the table with this level of support for expanded training now. Increased investment in early childhood learning is not only an important social development strategy for children, but also one of the most effective ways to increase labour supply in our province,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine.

These new accelerated training opportunities will include:

• ECE Workplace Mentorship: A diploma program, with students attending classes two days per week while they continue their employment at a childcare centre. Offered in Brandon and a rural rotating site.
• ECE Online: A diploma program to be delivered online, synchronously.
• ECE Foreign Qualification Recognition: A program that includes gap training for foreign trained professionals based on an individualized assessment. Offered through a blended delivery model of in-person and online learning on evenings and weekends in Brandon.
• Child Care Assistant: Cluster training, three weekends a month to obtain Child Care Assistant (CCA) designation. Offered in Brandon and in two rural rotating sites per year.

“This investment not only expands the opportunities available, it eases access to this training and ultimately, certification. For newcomers to Canada, for those who can’t afford to sacrifice their existing income while they pursue this education, for those who are unable to relocate—it’s important to reduce these barriers, and this variety of program options does just that,” added Karen Hargreaves, Dean of Health and Human Services at Assiniboine.

One of the new programs will be offered in partnership with YMCA of Brandon. The YMCA will provide trained mentors and employment opportunities for students.

“The Y has been making strides toward increasing access to childcare spaces in recent years. This investment in the development of trained Early Childhood Educators will ensure that we will be able to provide quality programs a and potential expansion of new centres in Brandon and area,” said Lon Cullen, President and CEO, YMCA of Brandon. “We look forward to welcoming students into these programs and their career in this rewarding profession.”

The college will release further information about each of the new programs in the coming weeks, available at assiniboine.net/eceprograms.