Posted on October 18, 2023

New program focuses on early childhood education training

early childhood care and education certificate

Vancouver Community College (VCC)'s Partnership Development Office (PDO) and Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS) are pleased to offer a specialized, no-cost Entry to Early Childhood Education Training program to eligible British Columbians.

This comprehensive 16-week interculturally inclusive and accessible skill training program is designed to equip new immigrant & refugee women and individuals facing multiple barriers to employment become skilled and certified ECE Assistants. Graduates will be fully prepared to enter the ever-growing and in-demand Early Childhood Education field as ECE Assistants and/or pursue further education.

This program includes 12 weeks of cohort-based classroom learning at VCC’s downtown campus and 4 weeks of on-the job experience at an authentic workplace with a local employer.

Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Courses
  • Skills for success
  • Employment and job search skills
  • Occupational language training
  • Industry certifications: FOODSAFE and First Aid
  • Guiding and caring
Training schedule (subject to change)
  • Cohort 1: December 4, 2023 – March 29, 2024
  • Cohort 2: May 6, 2024 – August 23, 2024
  • Cohort 3: Sept. 03, 2024 - Dec. 20, 2024
  • Cohort 4: April 21, 2025 – August 8, 2025
  • Cohort 5: July 14, 2025 – Oct. 31, 2025
Eligibility criteria
Participants must be:
  • At least 18 years old and have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Living in British Columbia
  • Canadian Citizens; or Permanent Residents; or Protected persons entitled to work in Canada
  • Unemployed or precariously employed 
  • Experiencing multiple barriers to employment such as lack of recent/Canadian experience, lack of basic employment skills, limited languages skills, non-high school completion, unstable housing etc.
  • Priority will be given to recent immigrant and refugee women.
Admissions criteria
  • Grade 10 English or Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 6 or above. Occupational language training is provided to support language upgrading.
  • Ability to pass a criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check
Tuition
Tuition is fully covered and there is no additional cost to the participant or employer. Additional financial supports may be available to cover wraparound supports while participating in the program. 

To apply
To apply for this program, all interested candidates must register for and attend an info session. For questions, please contact Alena Worster at contracttraining@vcc.ca or call 604.443.8751.