ELAA welcomes VECTEA approval that brings ECTs and educators in line with teachers

The Early Learning Association of Australia (ELAA) has welcomed the approval of the Victorian Early Childhood Teachers and Educators Agreement (VECTEA) 2020 earlier this week, noting the role the approval plays in bringing Victorian community early childhood teachers (ECTs) and educators “significantly closer to the wages and conditions of their primary school counterparts”.

 

VECTEA 2020 was approved by the Fair Work Commission earlier this week, and the agreement provides for significant wage increases for early childhood staff in Victorian kindergartens.

 

“We’re pleased that under this agreement early childhood teachers can earn in excess of $100,000 per annum,” said ELAA Director Advocacy Solutions Megan O’Connell.

 

“We know early childhood teachers are highly trained and make a tremendous difference in children’s lives. They deserve to be paid, and under the VECTEA will be paid, similarly to their school teacher colleagues.”

 

Key changes in the agreement include an increase in employer-paid parental leave for primary caregivers, 20 days of paid family and domestic violence leave and an increase in paid personal/carers leave to 15 days for each year of service (pro rata).

 

A Wellbeing Support Program for confidential counselling has also been added, to assist ECTs and educators to debrief on the issues they face, and support them to handle the stressors of the workplace. 

 

The new agreement also includes additional time for teachers and educators to plan and deliver quality services.

 

“The early childhood workforce is experiencing a skill shortage, with teachers and educators required across all levels. It is hoped the incentives within the VECTEA will attract people to consider roles in early childhood,” Ms O’Connell said. 

 

“The community sector delivers high quality early childhood education and care and the new VECTEA shows our willingness to nurture and support staff. ELAA encourages anyone considering a career in education to look to the community based early childhood sector.”

 

Further information about the VECTEA agreement is available here.