TAFE NSW makes moving to Australia a little smoother with AMEP ELC now open

The Padstow campus of TAFE New South Wales has recently opened an early learning centre (ELC) which is for the exclusive use of those TAFE students attending the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at TAFE.

 

A minor works project has transformed an existing Padstow campus building into an ELC, to support the AMEP students to have a smoother transition into acclimatising to life in Australia, without the additional challenge of sourcing convenient, affordable childcare. 

 

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Michael Cullen said the ELC will significantly assist refugee and migrant students who are studying English language at TAFE NSW Padstow in the AMEP.

 

“The most important thing is that parents can commit to their studies knowing that their children are learning and playing in an extremely safe environment,” Mr Cullen added. 

 

The renovation project included the installation of a playroom, art space, cot room, new bathroom, and kitchenette. A variety of stimulating learning and play equipment for the children will be provided for the program, which will be staffed by qualified early childhood educators by service provider Gowrie NSW.

 

Mr Cullen said the project was “a win for everyone”. 

 

“TAFE NSW Padstow provides assistance to our AMEP students giving them the opportunity to consider other courses in areas that interest them. Once they have a good level of English they’re able to enrol in further study, and it’s a great opportunity for the students to get the skills they need to gain employment or advance their careers and really settle into life in their community,” he said. 

 

The AMEP program covers language and literacy training, as well as life skills such as how to open a bank account, access healthcare or find a job. Funded by the Australian Government, TAFE NSW is the main provider of AMEP in NSW, providing up to 510 hours of free English language tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants to assist them with settlement in Australia.

 

More information about the AMEP program offered by TAFE NSW can be found here.