Advocacy

ELACCA welcomes ACECQA’s ten year roadmap to a strong respected ECEC workforce

Freya Lucas

Oct 15, 2021

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The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) has welcomed the release of the new National Workforce Strategy for the early learning and care sector.

‘After a sustained effort by governments, peak bodies and unions, we now have a document that places us all on a path to a strong, sustainable and respected educator workforce,’ said ELACCA CEO Elizabeth Death. The National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy (2022-2031) sets out 21 actions, to be undertaken by governments and sector stakeholders, to further strengthen the early childhood educator workforce in Australia.

A significant document, the Strategy represents “a once-in-a-decade opportunity to harness the combined interests and efforts of employers, educators, governments and other stakeholders,” Ms Death said. ‘The benefits will be significant – not only for early learning and care services and their staff, but for children and families, too. A strong educator workforce means high quality and great outcomes for children.”

Ms Death congratulated the Education Ministers from the Commonwealth, states and territories on their delivery of the National Workforce Strategy, and said she looks forward to their continued leadership as the Strategy is rolled out. “We expect all governments to follow through with the required resourcing of the Strategy,” she emphasised.

“Sector bodies like ELACCA are already investing significantly in workforce attraction and development, and we know our efforts can be amplified by investment from the government.” To access the Strategy please see here.

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