OC pilots tuition-free work-integrated learning for Early Childhood Education
Okanagan College is offering tuition-free Early Childhood Education (ECE) training with an innovative approach – providing students the opportunity to become certified during work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences as they provide education and care for young children.
“Okanagan College is keenly aware of how many trained ECEs are in demand across the sector. This pilot project, with support from the Government of B.C., will increase access to education for people seeking certification, going a long way to meeting that need,” says Yvonne Moritz, Associate Vice President Educational Services. ““To address the needs of our diverse regions, OC is making the ECE-WIL program more accessible to students in several local communities, from Osoyoos to Revelstoke.”.”
Funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, the program is open to individuals interested in completing up to six work-integrated learning (WIL) modules.
ECE-WIL provides options for student-educators to complete the Okanagan College ECE Diploma in addition to the ECE Infant-Toddler Certificate, as well as apply for certification with ECE registry, while continuing to work in the field.
Online training will allow student-educators to join the program from their home communities where there is also a participating early learning centre. Student-educators apply to work as a Responsible Adult or Early Childhood Assistant while completing the introductory and core training modules.
Workplace mentors and student-educators are being recruited now for the program, which starts in September, with full program completion scheduled for April 2024. Licensed childcare and early learning centres are invited to contact ecewil@okanagan.bc.ca, for more information about participating in the project.
Space in the program is limited to 25 student-educators, and is anticipated to fill quickly. Applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest so that the department can contact you with further information. Visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/ecewil for details.
Tags: Health and Social Development, Early Childhood Education, Penticton, Kelowna, Revelstoke Centre, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Inside OC
TOP STORIES
RELATED STORIES
Sign up for weekly stories
Meet Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores
April 4, 2023
Q: What's your name? A: Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores Q: What's your hometown? A: Quito – Ecuador – South America Q: How did you end up at Okanagan College? A: Well, I studied for a bachelor's degree in Law in Ecuador. Then, I worked for a while and got my Master's degree in Government and Culture of Organizations at the University of Pamplona. When I returned to my country, professional opportunities arose for me. I mean, a Master's degree improved my career. Spain helped me develop ...
Read more...
Artistic students design future careers in animation
June 7, 2022
Grads of Okanagan College’s Animation Diploma program are finding their skills have never been in higher demand. First- and second-year students showed samples of their artwork and demo reels to industry partners at OC’s annual Animation Industry Night on May 17. “Lots of the work was very professional,” says James Wood, Chair of Okanagan College’s Animation Department. “Our program is short, but intense. The instructors make sure the students have a realistic understanding of what they need do to succeed in a competitive and demanding wo...
Read more...
OC Business students embrace international study again
May 30, 2022
Business students from Okanagan College are once again able to travel to Jyväskylä, Finland to experience an international summer school at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Finland’s education system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. OC Business Professor Blair Baldwin, who has taught Services Design at JAMK for several summers, says working in Finland has helped him innovate and create new teaching methodologies. “JAMK employs experiential learning across its curriculum,” he says. “They stress critical thinkin...
Read more...
Enactus Okanagan College tops the field, sets sights on national championships
May 27, 2022
Okanagan College students will once again be competing for the Canadian title after qualifying for the Enactus National Exposition with a first-place finish in their league during the semi-final round. Enactus teams at post-secondary institutions across Canada competed virtually earlier this month, and Okanagan College scooped up top position in the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, and runner-up in the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge for the Unusually Good Food Co. project. It also included national runner-up in Shaw and RBC accelerators...
Read more...