TAFE short course gives students a ‘taste test’ of early childhood before entering sector

A new course at TAFE NSW Corowa will provide prospective early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals with a taste of the sector through a six week, fee-free course.

The Introduction to Early Childhood is being offered fee-free under JobTrainer , with the TAFE NSW Jobs of the Future report noting that “early childhood teacher” was projected to be the fastest growing profession in the NSW Riverina between 2018 and 2021.

Bobbie Whittaker, who heads up the ECEC teaching team for TAFE NSW, said this was a trend likely to continue post 2021. 

“The sector is in desperate need of more educators and it’s a great way to find almost guaranteed work,” Ms Whittaker said, reflecting the trends shown in the Big Roles in Little Lives campaign, where over 3,000 vacancies have been highlighted around Australia.

The course will be delivered by connected learning, allowing students to attend classes virtually from wherever it best suits. Units covered in the course count towards a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

To find out more about studying the Introduction to Early Childhood at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au