Nowra TAFE ECEC graduates are in a class of their own, all securing roles on graduation
Recent graduates from this year’s Certificate III in early childhood education and care at TAFE NSW Nowra have all secured employment offers in the Shoalhaven region, with only one student, who will be taking parental leave, not immediately commencing work after graduation.
A spokesperson for TAFE NSW said the result reflected the growing demand for quality educators with robust qualifications to meet the workforce needs of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.
One of the students successful in moving straight into work is 20 year old Courtney Bishop, from North Nowra. Ms Bishop has been offered full-time employment at Jumping Jellybeans in Berry.
Previously employed on a casual basis in the aged care sector, Ms Bishop was prompted to change to working in the early years by a need for stable hours and a full-time role. Once she commenced her studies, she found a great deal of reward in working directly with children and their families.
A highlight of the course, Ms Bishop said, was the weekly play session, which sees parents and children attend the TAFE campus to engage with a variety of play-based learning activities developed and overseen by the TAFE students and their mentors.
“Access to that level of practical, hands-on training gave me and the other students a chance to gain confidence in working with children before we went out into the sector for work placement,” she said, adding that she now felt “much more confident” about working with children.
Jumping Jellybeans has encouraged Ms Bishop to enrol in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and she already has her sights set on further education, saying “after my Diploma, I think I’ll do my Bachelor Degree through TAFE NSW”.
Further information about studying with TAFE NSW can be found here. For those interested in studying with the Nowra campus specifically, an ‘InfoFest’ event will be held between 26 and 27 June, with online information sessions also available.
Latest in
Quality
Workforce
One-third of all preschool centres could be without a trained teacher in four years, if we do nothing
One-third of all preschools may lack a qualified teacher in the next four years if nothing changes, my new modelling shows.
by Megan O'Connell, University of Melbourne
Workforce
Peter Buik bucking the trend, embracing ECEC as career change of choice
Becoming a full-time single parent was a powerful motivator for former rural contractor, Peter Buik, to make a change in career that would afford him more time with his school-age son.
by Freya Lucas
Quality
Workforce
Researchers find “serious gaps” in educator observation/response to problem behaviour
A national survey undertaken by researchers from the University of South Australia has exposed “serious gaps” in the ability of early childhood teachers, primary educators and carers to identify and respond to young children displaying “problematic sexual behaviours”.
by Freya Lucas
Leadership
Workforce
Team-building exercises can be a waste of time. You achieve more by getting personal
Someone we know recently told us about a team-building event that proved anything but.
by Julien Pollack, University of Sydney and Petr Matous, University of Sydney
Policy
Workforce
Megan Mitchell discusses importance of ECEC educators in securing children’s rights
National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell has used a recent public speaking opportunity to draw attention to how the Australian community, including those in the early childhood system, can embed children’s rights in broader society.
by Freya Lucas
