Strengthening the Early Childhood Education Workforce in SWVA | ECE Career Pathway Program

From Spring 2023 to Spring 2025, the ECE Career Pathway program took action to address the staffing crisis in early childhood education. This initiative supported new and existing educators through strategic recruitment, training, and professional development while helping childcare centers streamline hiring and training processes.

Key Achievements:

???? 221 new early childhood educators recruited, trained, and hired

???? 320 incumbent teachers upskilled to enhance their skills

???? 530 students engaged, inspiring the next generation of ECE professionals

???? 63 individuals supported in pre-apprenticeships/internships

???? 55 childcare sites assisted with staffing and training

???? 39 classroom expansions/new sites established

???? 297 additional children now receiving care due to increased staffing

???? Total impact: 1,870 individuals served!

Workforce Recruiters played a crucial role by:

✔️ Engaging high school and community college students to grow the talent pipeline

✔️ Supporting career changers with essential training

✔️ Offering a 27-hour self-paced online course aligned with Virginia DOE requirements

✔️ Partnering with childcare center directors to ease administrative burdens

This program has made a lasting impact by stabilizing and strengthening the ECE workforce in Southwest Virginia, ensuring more children receive the quality care and education they deserve.