Parent Training & Workforce Development Programs

PICA offers a number of parent training programs to help you learn new skills, gain hands-on work experience and prepare for the future. For more information about any of these programs, contact us or talk to your Parent/Child Advocate.

Becoming a Parent Trainee

If you are interested in PICA's Parent Training Programs, call your Parent/Child Advocate. They will give you an application, which will be taken to the Center Committee for approval. 

Parent Training Projects

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  • Child Development Training | The Early Childhood Development Training Project gives you the opportunity to learn about Infant/Toddler or Preschool child development while gaining practical experience in a PICA classroom.

  • Food Service Training | PICA’s Food Service Training Project allows you to gain experience working, cooking and cleaning in a commercial kitchen.

  • Transportation Training | The Transportation Training Project is intended to prepare you for the State of Minnesota road test to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

  • Clerical Training | In the Clerical Training Project, you learn transferable skills in three main areas: clerical and secretarial, receptionist services and computer services.

  • Bus Monitoring | In the Bus Monitoring Training Project, you learn what it takes to be a parent rider when transporting children on PICA’s buses.

Parent Professional Development Internship Program

  • If you have successfully completed PICA’s Child Development Training Project, PICA’s Professional Development Internship program may be for you. This program gives you the opportunity to earn your Infant/Toddler or Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) while gaining even more hands-on experience in the classroom. A CDA is a nationally recognized, competency-based early childhood certificate.

ESL, GED and Citizenship Classes

  • For those interested in learning basic English skills, obtaining your General Educational Development (GED) diploma, or becoming a United States citizen, PICA offers ongoing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as well as GED preparation and citizenship classes.

Staff Professional Development

  • PICA provides training and professional development opportunities for our staff members, including the opportunity to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential as well as training and financial support for teachers to earn an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in child development. Of our 430 staff members, more than half are current or former Head Start parents. PICA’s unique ‘Grow Your Own’ concept of staff development has allowed us not only to hire and retain a staff that is highly representative of the children and families we serve, but also to become the number one trainer of teachers of color in the state of Minnesota.