Dominic follow his mother’s ECEC footsteps with school traineeship

Dominic Breslin is undertaking a school-based traineeship with Imagine Childcare and Kindergarten in Southport, setting him his career path in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, inspired by his mother who works in the sector also. 

He chose the sector for its variety, saying it offers him a career which is really rewarding and one in which he “will never get bored”. 

Having completed his Certificate III, Dominic is now undertaking his Diploma in Children’s Services. Skye Sowden, Manager at Imagine, said the children chase Dominic around, “they have a close bond with him and he patiently lends them a helping hand when needed.”  

Sue Taggart, Domestic Sales Manager at Imagine Education, has noticed that “the dynamics change when Dominic is around, he has a very calming influence on the children and they all adore him”. 

Ms Taggart spoke about ECEC as a career being “extremely rewarding” because of the capacity to “influence and shape lives from a very young age” as well as the opportunities for promotion within the sector, with those holding a Diploma able to extend in to teaching, or to managing centres.

Under the school-based traineeship, Dominic works one day a week at the centre, which is incorporated into his normal school curriculum. Dominic’s trainer, Kim Harris described  Dominic as a very committed student who always gets his work done on time, and who has lovely interactions with the children. 

Speaking about opportunities within the sector more broadly, Paul Miles, Managing Director at BUSY At Work noted the skill shortages within the sector, saying ECEC represented “a viable career path, offering ongoing job security and opportunities”. 

“We have just launched our GC150 campaign where we are aiming to place 150 young apprentices and trainees before the end of the year. Imagine Child Care has pledged to sign up further trainees during the GC150 campaign and there are other employers on board for the campaign. We can also advise on any incentives available when hiring a trainee or an apprentice,” Mr Miles said. 

Currently, the Queensland Government is offering wholly subsidised training costs for persons under the age of 21 who are undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in 139 priority sectors and industries, including childcare. 

To learn more about the Queensland incentive packages, please see here. More information about BUSY At Work can be found on their website, or by contacting them on 13 28 79 for more information.