Childcare workers are in high demand in Sarnia-Lambton, and now is a great time to get into the field.
Licensed providers are looking to recruit over 120 full and part-time positions, including early childhood educators, educator assistants, and support staff.
North Lambton Childcare Centre (NLCC) Executive Director Claire Giles said the provincial and federal governments are planning to create 86,000 new childcare spaces over the next five years in Ontario.
"NLCC has five locations, in Forest, Grand Bend and Watford," said Giles. "So, we do have a large number of childcare spaces. What we're hearing though, across the sector, is we have large waitlists and the programs are full as they are. There is definitely a need."
Giles said they were noticing an increased need for workers, even before the pandemic hit.
"Of course, with the pandemic many businesses and services also saw that we definitely did have a retention problem. It was for many reasons, not just unusual to childcare."
Those interested in learning more about available jobs and opportunities for training are invited to a career fair on Wednesday, May 18 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Quality Inn, in Point Edward.
Giles said over 15 licensed urban, rural, and home-based childcare centres will be on-site to accept employment applications and discuss career options.
"An early childhood educator would have the two-year college diploma, or an equivalency. They would be registered with the College of ECEs. For licensed childcare, that is a requirement through the Ministry of Education who regulates us."
The drop-in style event is open to the public and no registration is required.
More information is posted to www.lambtononline.ca/childcare