Thompson Rivers University has created an Early Childhood Education program specifically to meet a labour shortage in Williams Lake and area.
Interim Associate Dean for the Faculty of Education and Social Work at TRU, Susan Safford, said they are excited to be delivering this full childhood education program starting this Fall.
Safford said it’s creation was the coming together of a number things starting with the support of the community.
“We had some conversations between the Williams Lake and the Kamloops Campus’ and as a result of that we held an information session in Williams Lake in December. The turnout for that, the feedback from the cross section of community members that attended, was outstanding and very supportive. We had some meetings with owners of existing childcare centres in Williams Lake and we were able to get information and sense of support from them.”
Safford noted that the University was able to find some funding, a one time offering.
While the Early Childhood Education diploma program is usually 18 months in duration, TRU has condensed it into 12 months.
“The 18 months period usually accommodates breaks in the Summer,” Safford said, “what we’ve done with this scheduling, in order to kinda of fast track the program and get those professionals out into the field as quickly as possible, we’re just doing back to back to back semesters. And that’s for the full diploma program, that would be people who are entering into the profession and wanting to get their basic credentials.”
She noted in addition to that full diploma program, TRU will be offering two certificate programs, Infant and Toddlers Specialization and the Special Needs Specialization so there are opportunities for professional who are already credentialed and working in the field to expand their knowledge and their skills.
The program is open now at TRU Williams Lake Campus and there are 25 seats available for classes starting this Fall.