Opening Doors to Early Childhood Careers: Introducing Early Learning Works
Preschool for All (PFA) is proud to partner with Worksystems – a local nonprofit dedicated to building a strong workforce and creating economic opportunity – to build the early childhood education workforce our community needs! Together, we’re opening new doors for people who want to become preschool teachers.
Why does this partnership matter?
As we planned Preschool for All, community leaders and advocates made it clear: access to affordable child care and quality preschool was not just a family issue, it was a workforce issue. Many people who wanted to find stable work or continue their education needed access to child care. And at the same time, early childhood educators themselves often didn’t have career support and were leaving the field due to low wages and limited opportunities to grow.
Recruiting, retaining, and supporting early educators has always been critical to meeting PFA goals – we’ll need many more teachers to make the program a success. With many years of experience in workforce development and a strong network of culturally specific partners, Worksystems was a natural fit to help build the early learning workforce alongside PFA.
Through a program called Early Learning Works, our partnership supports jobseekers across the region with the tools, training, and paid experience needed to build a rewarding career in early childhood education.
Who is this for?
Early Learning Works is open to all. Outreach is focused on recruiting new educators that reflect the full diversity of Multnomah County communities, including those that have historically faced barriers to education and employment.
What do early learning jobs look like?
Entry-level early childhood education roles – like preschool aide, assistant teacher, or floater – start at $22.27 per hour at PFA sites. These positions also include paid planning time, health care benefits, and access to scholarships for further training or higher education. Over time, educators can grow into lead teaching roles. The goal salary for a lead teacher is $39.23 per hour. Whether someone is entering the field for the first time or returning after a time away, we want early learning careers to be sustainable, supported, and valued.
How can you get involved if you’re interested in early learning as a career?
The best way to start is by talking to an Early Learning Works Career Coach. They'll learn about you and what you want to achieve, and provide one-on-one, customized support based on your experience and goals. They can help you explore career paths, plan your next steps, and access wraparound services to be successful.
Your Career Coach can connect you to things, like:
- Scholarships for School and Training: Worksystems will pay for you to take classes or go to college so you can qualify for jobs working with young children.
- Help Finding a Job: Coaches will help you write your resume and cover letter. They'll also teach you how to do well in job interviews and help you find job openings, even connecting you directly with preschools that are hiring.
- Paid Work Experiences: Get paid, hands-on training at a preschool for a short time.
- On-the-Job Training: Get trained by a preschool provider post-hire to ensure you have the skills in place to succeed at your new position. Employers can receive reimbursement for part of your wages during the first 90 days.
- Financial Assistance: Get money to help with things like child care, housing, transportation, education, work clothes, and more while you're starting your new job.
Worksystems partners with a network of community-based and culturally specific organizations, including WorkSource, IRCO, Latino Network, SE Works, and Portland Community College to ensure that the program is responsive to the diverse needs, languages, and life experiences of the people they serve.
In addition to the services above, young people ages 14 to 24 can explore the field and gain real-world skills through hands-on, paid work experiences.
Learn more:
If you’re ready to explore a career in early childhood education, Early Learning Works is ready to support you! Connect with a career coach to get started.
You can also visit worksystems.org/child-care-and-early-learning to find out more.
We know that great preschool experiences start with great teachers! This partnership is one way we’re investing in the people who care for and teach our youngest learners.