TAFE NSW supports sustainable leadership in Griffith

Educators at Kindylane preschool, the oldest preschool in Griffith New South Wales, are being supported by their local TAFE to stay ahead of a  predicted surge in demand for qualified educators in the NSW Riverena district, where Griffith is located.

 

Latest research predicts a surge in demand for early childhood teachers (ECTs), showing growth of 15.6 per cent in terms of the number of ECTs which the Riverina will require between 2018 and 2021 – the highest growth profession in the region.

 

All 10 childhood educators at Kindylane have a previous qualification from TAFE NSW and three of its staff members are currently enrolled in, or have recently completed, Leadership and Management qualifications at TAFE NSW Griffith.

 

Kindylane Preschool director Heather Gowing, one of the staff members studying a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, said investing in upskilling staff was critical for any business, let alone one in a chronic skills shortage area.

 

“Even though our core business is working with children, leadership is very important to us,” Ms Gowing said. “To be able to more effectively engage, motivate and support other staff members is hugely valuable.”

 

Ms Gowing said the course had enabled her to network and exchange ideas with classmates, who were like-minded professionals from different industries across the Riverina district, and that the learning environment was supportive.

 

“The teacher who delivers the course is not just a TAFE teacher, they’ve got hands-on experience.” Ms Gowing said.

 

The Leadership and Management course includes four three day intensive workshops, as well as tutorials and workplace visits.

 

TAFE NSW Griffith leadership, management and human resources teacher Nicole Martin said the course provided an ideal platform for professional growth.

 

“This is an opportunity for students to learn new skills and potentially take the next step in their career,” Ms Martin said. ‘It really empowers students to create a positive work environment in their team.’

 

Participants in the course learned to better guide and support team members, lead effective workplace relationships, communicate powerfully as a workplace leader, delegate and manage work output, and identify problem areas and apply solutions throughout the course, all skills which Ms Gowing said were valuable in her role.

 

For more information phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.