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- Empower to Educate: Aspiring Early Childhood Educators Receive Advising and Financial Support Through New Workforce Development Program
February 27, 2023
Empower to Educate: Aspiring Early Childhood Educators Receive Advising and Financial Support Through New Workforce Development Program
Entering any new career field is challenging, and the early childhood field is no exception. Fortunately, a new statewide program is here to help. Empower to Educate, a program of Child Care Aware of Minnesota, helps current and aspiring early childhood educators begin, advance, and sustain their career goals in child care.
The purpose Empower to Educate is to increase the number of people entering the early childhood workforce by offering benefits, including up to $900 in financial assistance, a free early education training package, job skills training, a mentorship program, job placement assistance, and help attaining higher education and credentials to move up the career ladder. This is accomplished through personal support from a locally-based Workforce Advisor. All materials are available in Somali, Spanish, and English. Specific assistance for tribal members and American Indian child care programs is offered through Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care.
Since launching in July 2022, Empower to Educate has received a high volume of interest from future early childhood educators, child care professionals, and community partners around the state. The six Empower to Educate Workforce Advisors have connected with over 300 potential early childhood educators across Minnesota and have supported over 150 to begin a career path in early childhood education. Many other Empower to Educate participants are advancing their careers in child care centers and family child care programs.
For more information about Empower to Educate, please visit the program webpage, which includes an interest form for potential participants.
