Loyalist College partners with YMCA Northumberland to offer flexible programming

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Belleville, Ontario, April 17, 2019 – Loyalist College and YMCA Northumberland have partnered to provide YMCA employees with access to the College’s online, part-time Early Childhood Education diploma program, required to become Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) and to deliver various YMCA-specific children’s programs.

“Loyalist is proud to work with YMCA Northumberland to meet their workforce needs by customizing pathways to credentials through which their employees can earn specialized skills to advance in the workplace,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO. “This tailored delivery option gives staff the flexibility and convenience of pursuing post-secondary education while working full-time. It allows them to immediately apply their knowledge by helping to support young children, their families and our communities in the holistic development of optimal learning and well-being.”

Loyalist’s Early Childhood Education diploma program consistently ranks high in student and graduate satisfaction, combining theory with practice. Students design and implement curriculum to meet the diverse learning needs of children at different stages. Learning emphasizes inclusive practices, partnerships with families, multiple intelligences and evidence-based practices.

“Throughout the province, there is a growing concern about the shortage of qualified Registered Early Childhood Educators,” said Eunice Kirkpatrick, YMCA Northumberland CEO. “YMCA Northumberland is looking at ways to address the crisis at a local level by working with Loyalist College to offer opportunities to staff. Flexible learning has been a successful model for many YMCA Northumberland employees. Currently, 11 employees are working toward their ECE certification, helping further their skills and increasing the number of qualified staff throughout the County.”

For more information about Loyalist’s Early Childhood Education program; Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition; and full-time, distance, and apprenticeship learning options, visit loyalistfocus.com.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. When it comes to Ontario college graduates getting jobs, Loyalist is the top College in the province, according to KPI results, released November 2018. Of 2016-17 Loyalist graduates, 90.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com; including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses; and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $465 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2018 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

 About YMCA Northumberland

As a charity, YMCA Northumberland provides vital community services that have a positive impact on pressing social issues—from chronic disease to unemployment, social isolation, poverty, inequality and more. In 2018, $204,000 was raised in Northumberland County, which helped countless children, teens, adults, and seniors in the community. YMCA Northumberland serves the communities of Cramahe, Trent Hills, Port Hope, Brighton, Alnwick/Haldimand and Alderville with the main Health, Fitness and Aquatic centre located in Cobourg, Ontario. YMCA Northumberland has experienced excellent market penetration for a community of its size and offers a wide range of programs including; YMCA licensed Child Care, YMCA Health, Fitness and Aquatics, YMCA Global Initiatives, YMCA Day Camps, and in partnership with Northumberland County, is one of three community providers delivering EarlyON programming. YMCA Northumberland is well-reputed for being a high performing YMCA with quality service standards, excellent membership retention, a strong contribution margin and an enduring position in the hearts and minds of community members it serves.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536

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