For those interested in working with children, there is now more opportunities to pursue a career in childcare at the College of the Rockies in Creston.
This year, the province is investing $1.32 million to expand early childhood education (ECE) seats as part of the 10-year Childcare BC plan.
College of the Rockies is receiving funding for 30 additional seats in the ECE program, for a combined total of 147 new seats at eight institutions provincewide.
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The new ECE seats include full and part-time studies, online learning, and specialty programs in Indigenous community-based delivery, infant and toddler, and special needs.
New Democrat MLA Brittny Anderson said the new seats will offer training to more workers, which will then help make childcare more accessible to local families over time.
“With more childcare spaces available to families across the Kootenays, it is important that there are trained staff available,” said Anderson.
“Our government is working closely with College of the Rockies to make that a reality, and 30 additional spaces will mean that there are many more graduates every year to help care for our little ones.”