Document Type
Research Paper
Publication Date
12-11-2024
Keywords
international students, early childhood education, career intentions, ECE preservice training, immigration pathways, ECE workforce strategy
Abstract
Recruiting and retaining trained early childhood educators (ECEs) has been a persistent challenge for childcare employers and community organizations across Canada. This study examines the perceptions, experiences, and career intentions of recent ECE graduates before, during, and after completing a preservice training program in Ontario, with a focus on the experiences of international students. Drawing on data from a quantitative online survey and qualitative individual and focus group interviews, the findings highlight both shared experiences and the unique challenges international students face during their training and transition into the ECE workforce. The study also explores immigration pathways that enable international ECE graduates to contribute their skills and expertise to support children and families in Canadian communities. Additionally, it discusses the policy implications and future research directions necessary to attract, support, and retain international students as part of a national workforce strategy to address the skilled ECE workforce shortage.
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies (FAHCS)
Copyright
© Yalin Gorica, Katherine Becker, Lisa Phyllis
Terms of Use
Terms of Use for Works posted in SOURCE.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Original Publication Citation
Gorica, Y., Becker, K., Phyllis, L. (2024). International students in ECE preservice programs: Career intentions and pathways to early childhood education [Unpublished academic research article]. Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies. Sheridan College.
SOURCE Citation
Gorica, Yalin; Becker, Katherine; and Phyllis, Lisa, "International Students in ECE Preservice Programs: Career Intentions and Pathways to Early Childhood Education" (2024). Publications and Scholarship. 40.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/fahcs_publications/40
Comments
This project was completed with the support of the Sheridan Generator Growth Grant 2023-2024. The authors have no known conflict of interest to disclose.