SINGAPORE — Job seekers interested in pursuing a career in the early childhood sector can now apply for a short working stint with pre-school centres, under a new traineeship programme to be launched at the end of the month.
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), with support from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), said it will allow participants to get a first-hand experience of jobs in the sector.
“The new Traineeship Programme for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector is targeted at unemployed individuals, including back-to-work individuals, who would like to pursue a career in ECCE. It is suitable for adult job seekers who have not been trained in ECCE or are exploring a career switch to the ECCE sector,” the WDA said yesterday.
“Upon completion of the programme, both trainees and employers can assess if there is a suitable job fit before employment.
“Participants will receive training allowance and incentives upon completing the Traineeship Programme and staying employed in a job or in the ECCE sector,” it added.
The two agencies will facilitate the placement of candidates in participating kindergartens and child care centres, as well as draw up trial areas of work for them.
Trainees will get to work for up to two weeks, or 80 hours, with participating centres. A training allowance of S$4.50 an hour and a S$200 completion incentive will be given to those who attend at least 75 per cent of the programme.
The PAP Community Foundation, one of the largest pre-school anchor operators here, yesterday said it welcomes any initiative that would interest potential new entrants to the early childhood education (ECE) industry.
The Traineeship Programme will offer them a better understanding and appreciation of the demands of an ECE professional, it added.
Ms Chan Min Yi, an early childhood diploma graduate who plans to work in the sector, felt the attachment period under the programme may be too short for trainees.
“There is not enough time for (trainees) to bond with the students,” she said.
Ms Sandy Koh, childcare manager from YWCA, a voluntary welfare organisation that runs pre-school centres, said trainees under the scheme could only help to a certain extent, such as in taking care of students.
“Teaching-wise, we can only make use of trained professionals. Even if they join the sector, we can only see the benefits in two years’ time, when they have completed their courses,” Ms Koh said.
Those interested can find out more about the Traineeship Programme, as well as explore other training and employment opportunities, at the ECDA’s Early Childhood Career and Education Fair on Saturday.
With over 30 booths, more than 500 teacher and educarer positions are expected to be offered at the fair, which will be held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
source: todayonline.com
