Child Development Worker Certification for Immigrant Women Annual AAISA Summit Innovative Practices in Settlement and Integration Child Development Worker Certification for Immigrant Women Presented by: Jyoti Agnihotri Career Services Department Interim Manager September 21, 2018

OUR MANDATE VISION: Empower Immigrant Women. Enrich Canadian Society. MISSION: To engage and integrate all immigrant women and their families in the community. VALUES: Integrity. Equity. Inclusiveness. Innovation. Leadership.

To enroll clients must have: Permanent Residency status Program Description Child Development Worker Training assists immigrant women to complete a 12-month academic Early Learning and Child Care course and obtain Child Development Worker certificate through customized individual and group support. To enroll clients must have: Permanent Residency status CLB 7 or higher Child Development Assistant certificate Professional experience in child care (home country and/or Canada)

Selective approach by governing bodies Gaps Gaps that prevent highly educated immigrant women in growing their careers and achieving economic prosperity: Selective approach by governing bodies Inflexibility in credential and skill recognition Inequitable and unrealistic English language requirements Discrepancy in skills required for child care certification and the workplace

Gap #1 Selective approach by governing bodies Canadian experience and education given advantage over non-Canadian one Gap #2 Inflexibility in credential and skill recognition No provincial program available to asses prior learning and relevant working experience Gap #3 Inequitable and unrealistic English language requirements Knowledge of academic English language prerequisite to enroll in the ELCC program (CLB 8) Gap #4 Discrepancy in skills required for child care certification and the workplace Demands that immigrant women need to overcome to obtain Child Development Worker certificate do not match typical job duties and wage they ultimately earn

Innovative Practices to Address the Gaps Customized and emergent curriculum created to meet client learning needs Two months of preparatory classes to meet clients’ learning needs by enhancing their essential skills and English language proficiency Ongoing individual study support for each client throughout the program

2. Collaboration with client’s employers Innovative Practices to Address the Gaps 2. Collaboration with client’s employers Daycare employers suggested training schedule and adjusted work hours for clients to enable them to attend classes

Innovative Practices to Address the Gaps 3. Online study group Program team created an online group to enable clients continuous communication and exchange of study materials

FUNDED BY

Thank you! Contact Information: Jyoti Agnihotri Career Services Department Interim Manager Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association First Street Plaza – Suite 200, 138 4 Ave SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 4Z6 Tel: (403)444-1751 Fax: (403)264-3914 jyotia@ciwa-online.com www.ciwa-online.com