Residents interested in a career in early learning will soon have the opportunity to train closer to home, as Assiniboine College expands its Early Childhood Education program to Neepawa.
The provincially accredited program will begin in January 2027 and will allow students to earn an Early Childhood Education diploma without leaving the community. Graduates will be eligible for classification as an ECE II through Manitoba Early Learning.
Assiniboine officials say the program is being introduced in response to growing demand for childcare services in the region. The college has expanded several training opportunities in Neepawa in recent years, including a new adult learning site and an upcoming intake of its Practical Nursing program.
The expansion is supported through provincial investments aimed at increasing access to post-secondary education and career training in rural Manitoba. Provincial officials say local training opportunities help students build careers in their home communities while addressing workforce needs.
Students enrolled in the program may also qualify for tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 per school year through Manitoba’s Early Learning and Childcare Workforce Strategy.
Assiniboine College says similar community-based ECE programs have been well received across Manitoba and have helped train more childcare professionals closer to where they live and work.
An information night for prospective students will be held at the Neepawa Training Centre on Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Those interested are encouraged to apply by Oct. 30 to assist with planning for the inaugural intake.
For more information on the program and application process, visit Assiniboine College’s website.
