‘At capacity’

Bursaries aimed at addressing ‘severe’ shortage in French-speaking early childhood educators

Bursaries are being offered to bolster the number of qualified French-speaking early childhood educators working in P.E.I.

Kathleen Couture, executive director of the Association des centre de la petite enfance francophones de l’Île-du-PrinceÉdouard (ACPEFÎPÉ), says the province is experience a severe human resource shortage.

“We are at capacity for the number of available certified educators even though there would be physical space to accommodate more children, and the waiting lists are getting longer every day,” said Couture.

Eight bursaries are available for those willing to commit to taking the two-year Early Childhood Care and Education Program at Collège de l’Île starting in September 2018.

To receive the bursary, candidates must be admitted into that program and must commit to work for a minimum of two years in one of the six Francophone early learning and child care centres located in Prince Edward Island upon graduation.

“This bursary program will help train future educators and guarantee their participation in the workforce once they complete their postsecondary program,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant.

“We are looking for dedicated individuals looking to share their talents and contribute to growing the next generation of Islanders.”

Individuals interested in this bursary program are asked to contact Couture at acpefipe@ ssta.org or by phone at 902-8881681, ext. 250.

“We are at capacity for the number of available certified educators even though there would be physical space to accommodate more children, and the waiting lists are getting longer every day.” Kathleen Couture