Workforce shortages in the early education sector are creating a ripple effect as childcare providers cannot fill open positions and working parents cannot find facilities with available spots for their young children. The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) hopes to help close some of these gaps by providing an online information session, August 25, noon-1 pm, about free training programs and career opportunities in the early childhood education sector. The webinar is part of WRC’s monthly Career Connections webinar series, which links women to quality jobs and funded training programs.

Panelists include representatives from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC), Children First, the Sky Family YMCA, and State College of Florida (SCF). Participants will learn how to enroll in a free “Introduction to Child Care” 45-hour training program with the ELC, as well as receive information about scholarship opportunities available at SCF for its A.S. and B.S. degrees in Early Childhood Education and stackable childcare certificates. 

Many job openings are available to start working immediately in this high-demand field, serving children from infants to Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), which Florida offers free to all 4-year-olds. No experience or credential is necessary for some positions.

Participants can attend by phone or computer and will be able to ask questions via a chatbox. Those interested can register at mywrc.org/earlyeducation  or call 941-256-9721 for more information.