“For many years now, NLC’s Early Childhood Education program has delivered a highly successful online ECEC Diploma,” explained dean of Academic and Vocational Programs Steve Roe. “Students across Canada and around the world are drawn to our program. The online program is continuing, but starting in September 2016 we are also offering our ECE Diploma in-region, through face-to-face and video-conference delivery.”
ECEC Program Chair and Instructor Cindy Page noted that this additional form of delivery offers even greater flexibility for one of NLC’s most popular programs.
“NLC continues to have a vibrant online and teleconferenced ECEC Diploma program, which has been in existence since the mid-90s,” she explained. “The in-region, face-to-face offering is a two-year pilot project that starts September 2016.”
Page added that the in-region program will be a “cohort model,” where students move through the diploma together.
“It incorporates real-time learning within a dedicated time frame, providing classes either face-to-face or video-conferenced at one of several campuses in the region. In our online program, for the most part students attend asynchronously through an online classroom, allowing them to complete lessons and participate online at different times according to individual schedules.”
Responding to a need for early childhood educators in northeast B.C., the program will help meet labour market demand, and offer local students a chance to fill job vacancies in our communities.
“Given the growth in the region, there is a huge demand for early childhood educators in Northern BC and this program responds to that need,” said Page. “The program provides an opportunity for students to connect with each other, with instructors and with agencies at a local level.”
Roe added that being an Early Childhood Educator is an important and gratifying career.
“NLC provides outstanding training in this field,” said Roe.
The program is fully certified through the BC ECE Registry, and can lead to other future credentials.
Registration is open until July 4, 2016, with first priority given for full-time students. However, part-time seats for the Fall 2016 intake may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the ECEC office, toll-free, at 1-866-463-6652 ex. 6234.