Have You Considered a Career in Early Childhood Education?
Our workforce recruiters are ready to help you get a career, not just a job. Participants in this program can be ready to work at an Early Childhood Education Center in just four weeks! We will help participants with job placement and can offer continued professional development opportunities after you are hired. You will make a difference in your community and start a career you will love all while having access to our network of early childhood education professionals and providers.
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Are you the director of a childcare center that needs more staff?
Connect with our workforce recruiters to gain qualified, classroom-ready teachers. We can help to decrease your expenses related to hiring, back-office services, and professional development opportunities for current or new staff members.
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Workforce Development Reports
SWVA Childcare Labor Shortage Report 2023
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About Virginia Career Works
The partnership between United Way of Southwest Virginia and Virginia Career Works provides solutions to address the labor force gap in childcare and expand critical access to families in or seeking to enter the workforce. The Early Childhood Education Career Pathway project is recruiting, training, and placing new early childhood educators, as well as providing professional development and training to existing childcare workers. The program is also increasing engagement with the emerging workforce to build a pipeline of future workers pursuing careers in early childhood education. A Shared Services Alliance will provide back-office support and services to providers, leading to an increased occupational capacity for centers and reduced costs for families. The community partnerships with local Workforce Development Boards, Community Colleges, four-year Colleges and Universities, Childcare Center Operators, and United Way of Southwest Virginia will allow individuals and Childcare Centers to have access to resources, career on-ramp training, and education needed to enter the workforce or expand capacity at current Childcare Centers.
Through these partnerships and strategies, this project will address gaps in rural economic ecosystems, allowing families to go back to work while providing quality, accessible care to our region’s children.
To learn more about Virginia Career Works by region, visit:
New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board at https://vcwnewrivermtrogers.com/
Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board at https://vcwsouthwest.com/
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much time will I need to set aside for this program?
This program requires 37 hours of training. In addition to the training hours, time is built into the schedule to allow for background screenings, resume building, and other job placement support.
What topics will I learn about?
The course material follows the State of Virginia STANDARDS FOR LICENSED CHILD DAY CENTERS as required by licensing to meet teacher and teacher aide requirements.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Early Childhood Education Overview
- Classroom Training, including Classroom Management and Organization
- Safety Training, including First Aid and CPR
- Health and Nutrition Training
How will I get a job once I complete this certification?
Our recruiters will help you! We’ll help you build a resume, look for jobs, and prepare for interviews. We are invested in your success and will help at every step of this journey.
Are courses online or in-person?
Both! We even have an online course that you can start anytime and move through at your own pace. Our in-person training sessions are offered in various locations throughout Ready Region Southwest based on the hiring needs of the communities we serve.
How much does this cost?
Qualifying individuals may be able to receive training at little to no cost to them. Please contact our workforce recruiters to learn more about your eligibility.
What is a Workforce Development Board?
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a creation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which was written to address the human needs, associated with employment in every region. The Board is made up of business and community leaders so the region’s interests are represented. The WDB is funded wholly or in part by funds provided by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The NR/MR Workforce Development Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxillary Aides and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD-VA Relay: 711
Marty Holliday
EO Officer
marty.holliday@nrmrwib.org 540-633-6764
The Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For access to Virginia Relay (Telecommunications Relay Service) dial “711” or toll-free 800-828-1120 (TTY), or 800-828-1140 (voice). Please contact Aleta Spicer, our Local EO Officer, at 276-883-4034 with any questions.
United Way of Southwest Virginia is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for vacancies without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, or status as a veteran or other category protected under applicable state or municipal law. United Way of Southwest Virginia will reasonably accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants to permit them to perform the essential functions of the subject position.
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Funding for this Project
Outreach funding for this project is supported by 4.03% of the federal U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) award of $1,240,316 made to Pulaski County on behalf of New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area by the pass-through entity, the Virginia Community College System. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
This webpage and the Ready SWVA program described are 100% supported by a federal U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) award of $1,240,316 made to New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area by the pass-through entity, the Virginia Community College System. No costs of this program are financed by nongovernmental sources. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, the accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
