New $3.3M bursary boosts Alberta’s early childhood educator workforce

The Governments of Canada and Alberta are investing $3.3 million to launch the Early Childhood Educator Bursary program, aimed at strengthening Alberta’s child-care workforce. Managed by NorQuest College, the program will provide up to 300 bursaries of $10,000 each over three years to help students cover tuition, books, and living costs while pursuing approved ECE certificate programs. Funding will be delivered in two instalments: $5,000 upon program acceptance and $5,000 after graduation, employment in a licensed child-care centre, and earning Level 2 certification. This initiative builds on five years of targeted support for early childhood educators, including higher compensation and professional development. Since 2021, Alberta has grown its ECE workforce by more than 13,000, reaching 31,200 educators province-wide. The new bursary underscores both governments’ commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across Alberta.

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