United Way program offers paid training for early childhood education careers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - United Way of Greater Charlottesville is working to connect community members with careers in early childhood education.

“It’s a way to kind of support our early childhood workforce here in our community so that we can help stabilize our workforce, but also allow for our community members to be able to have childcare,” said Blair Davis, early childhood care and education workforce manager at United Way of Greater Charlottesville

The Early Learning Career Launch program in partnership with UVA’s Pipelines and Pathways, offers 80 hours of paid training with licensing, job opportunities and support as participants move into their role in childcare.

“It’s a great program for anybody who’s interested in early childhood because it kind of gives you a little bit of an extra boost,” Davis said. “Instead of just walking into a childcare center, so you have a better idea of what you’re getting into, how you’re going to be working as an educator.”

The program offers hiring opportunities within the training, giving people the chance to go straight into the workforce.

Applications for the program’s June cohort are due by 5 p.m., Thursday, May 14. You can apply for the program here.

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