Vic educators now eligible for second cohort in fast-tracked ECT qualification

Applications are now open for Diploma-qualified educators in Victoria who wish to become early childhood teachers (ECTs) as part of a ‘fast-tracked’ university course designed to meet the need for more teachers in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. 

Victorian Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt announced the opening of applications yesterday, with the specialist Initial Teacher Education program being offered through Deakin University. The program condenses the three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education down to just 18 months through the University’s intensive trimester model of study. 

Emerging ECTs will be able to complete the course through an employment-based model – combining paid on-the-job employment at an early childhood service while studying. Financial support packages of $30,000 are also available for participating early childhood educators to help cover course fees and materials, as well as help with living expenses while they study.

“This investment will remove financial barriers and support educators ready to take the next step in their career ─ boosting their skill set despite the challenges of the pandemic,” Ms Stitt said.

Services who support ECTs training under the model will also receive direct funding for each student to provide wraparound and mentoring support for educators while they train to become teachers. Eighty-five students are already studying the tailored course this year at Deakin University and will be ready to join the workforce as teachers in 2022 when three-year-old kindergarten is rolled out statewide. 

For more information about the employment-based pathway of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education course at Deakin University please see here.