Bridge to Work – YMCA Northern Alberta – Intakes

The Bridge to Work program serves internationally trained newcomers (PRs/Landed Immigrants, convention refugees with positive notice of decision, protected persons, MOME2023, persons admitted to Canada under the caregiver immigration program) whose English is CLB level 6 or higher, and education and/or work or volunteering experience are in early childhood education, school education, or anything related. The purpose of the program is to assist eligible persons in learning about childcare, attaining Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification, and finding employment in the sector as early childhood educators.

Our program runs in cohorts every 2 months. First, there are 2 weeks of in-person workshops Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, then there is a gap week followed by a week of interviews, and then there are 12-16 weeks of work placement with a childcare employer partnering with our program. Importantly, please be aware, that the program cannot guarantee employment security as the decision to hire a candidate is made solely at the discretion of the employing childcare provider partnering with the program.

It is a requirement that clients do the Alberta Early Childhood Educator Orientation Course and apply for Early Childhood Educator Level 1 certification, as well as complete Alberta Standard/Intermediate First Aid with CPR/AED Level C. These are required by the province for work in childcare as an Early Childhood Educator.