The Region of Waterloo is pleased to provide a new $5,000 bursary for students enrolled in Conestoga College's Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship program at the Doon campus.
The funding is made possible through a one-time federal investment of $4 million for the Child Care and Early Years Workforce Funding, which supports innovative recruitment and retention strategies. The Province provides guidelines for Service Managers such as the Region of Waterloo on the distribution of the funds.
The Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship program is a three-year program designed to provide individuals without formal qualifications who are working in a child care setting with the opportunity to pursue formal education and training on a part-time basis. The training is a significant step toward becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).
The Region of Waterloo has allotted $125,000 of the overall funding to support the new bursary program with Conestoga College. This year, bursary recipients will include new students coming into year one, as well as returning students in years two and three.
Quotes:
"Conestoga College has always been a leader in providing excellence in Early Childhood Education. While attending a roundtable session at the college this week with Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, we learned about the unique Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship program. As we add additional child care spaces under the Early Learning and Affordable Child Care program, this part-time education and training program for individuals working in child care will be especially important."
- Valerie Bradford, MP for Kitchener South-Hespler
"Our government and its partners are creating more licensed childcare spaces and supporting the recruitment of new early childhood educators. I'm proud to see Conestoga College continuing to build on their reputation for providing training and skills for in-demand sectors and helping their students to succeed and build great careers right here in our community."
- Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South-Hespeler
"Supporting child care workers and their education is essential for the development of children and a strong child care system. This bursary with Conestoga College is one of the ways that the Region of Waterloo can address the demand for talent and skilled workers in our community. The Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship program will provide students with the opportunity to develop and practice their skills, and provide high-quality care for our children."
- Karen Redman, Chair, Region of Waterloo
"We want to help students to become RECEs by removing existing barriers and encourage anyone working in a licensed setting to enroll in the program where they can continue to work and earn a living. Early Years and Child Care practitioners play an integral part in a child's learning. This investment will help to support those seeking a career in this rewarding profession that is vital to the children and families in our community."
- Barb Cardow, Director, Children's Services, Region of Waterloo
"The development of the early years and child care workforce will benefit children and families across our community while creating new opportunities for individuals hoping to build successful careers. By removing financial barriers to education and training, the Region is making an important investment in our shared future."
- Dr. John Tibbits, President and Chief Executive Officer, Conestoga College
