Okanagan College offering more early childhood education spaces

Okanagan College is benefiting from a provincial investment into early childhood education courses.

The B.C. government said enrolment in those programs across the province grew by 40 per cent in 2020-21 compared to 2017-18.

The province has now committed $1.3-million to create 176 additional early childhood educator (ECE) spaces at post-secondary institutions across B.C., including 12 at Okanagan College.

It is not yet known if any of those spaces will be available at the Vernon or Kelowna campuses.

“Early childhood educators are essential – they are skilled professionals who care for children at such an important stage in their development,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

“That’s why we have taken action to help recruit and retain more ECEs, including providing bursaries and funding additional student spaces. When we make it accessible and affordable for people to learn, everyone wins.”

The other institutions benefiting from this investment are Capilano University, Lower Mainland (50 spaces); Capilano University, Sunshine Coast (40); College of New Caledonia (10); College of the Rockies (22); Langara College (30); and Selkirk College (12).

The provincial investment is intended to establish more qualified early childhood educators in B.C. to support the workforce, which is expected to see 10,000 job openings for certified ECEs and assistants over the next 10 years.

“There is no child care system without a strong and skilled workforce of early childhood educators,” said Karina Gould, federal minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

“Supporting the valuable work of early childhood educators is key to the success of a high-quality child care system and ensures the work of these professional educators is valued throughout their lifelong career.”

Along with increasing student spaces in ECE programs, the province is taking action to help people access programs and stay in B.C. after graduating. These include:

• Enhancing the ECE median wage by $4 to $25/hr
• Introducing ECE dual-credit programs in 30 school districts (SD22 to be included in 2023) so students in grades 11 and 12 can begin ECE post-secondary training while earning credits
• Ensuring quality professional learning is available for ECEs and other early care and learning professionals throughout B.C.
• Prioritizing ECEs under the Provincial Nominee Program to help them secure permanent residency in B.C.
• Changing legislation to create a standalone act for overseeing the ECE profession

The province will also open the winter intake for ECE bursaries of up to $5,000 per semester from Oct. 1 to 15. Applications for these funds, provided through the Canada-British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, can be made online.