Assiniboine Community College, the same post-secondary institution that recently launched an LPN program in Neepawa, is now considering bringing another training opportunity to the community.

The ECE II Accelerated Mentorship is a hybrid program which would allow students to work while completing their educational requirements, with three days a week working at an accredited child care site with a mentor and two days a week in the classroom, whether in-person or remotely. Not only would students be earning a full time wage while in the program, but the Manitoba government would also refund the tuition fees paid up to a maximum of $5,000.

ACC offers this and others of its programs under the Rural Rotating Model, where the course is offered in a series of smaller communities across the province in addition to at ACC’s permanent campuses. This allows a wider variety of students, particularly those in rural areas who are unable to relocate, to complete their education and join the profession. The ECE II Accelerated Mentorship would potentially run in Neepawa for 18 months. The traditional on-campus ECE II program runs for two years.

ECEs are currently needed across the community to work in daycare facilities, home-based child care, and early years classrooms as the population of young people in the area continues to explode. Donna Gork-Todoruk, Director for Neepawa’s Budz N Bloom Early Learning Centre, spoke to attendees of a recent public information session about the career path and the many opportunities that are available.

Ryan Cardwell, Chairperson for Early Learning and Education at ACC, said, "The impact that you make with young children is deeply profound. The changes that you can make in a young child's life are so much different than you can with a Grade 11 [student]."

Neepawa is being evaluated as a potential community for the program, based on interest. Given the need for ECEs in the community and the number of people attending the information session, there seems little doubt that there will be more than enough candidates to go forward.