Front Project announces 2nd round of funded ECT qualifications for Diploma educators

Independent national enterprise The Front Project has announced a second round of funded opportunities to support Diploma-qualified educators to become early childhood teachers (ECTs). 

 

Delivered in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Training and the Australian Catholic University (ACU), the second-round offer of the Innovative Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degree at ACU gives Victorian educators an opportunity to become qualified with the Victorian Government paying university course fees in an accelerated 18-month course.

 

“The opportunity provides educators with the financial, in-service, and mentoring supports needed to graduate and step into an ECT role with confidence,” a Front Project representative explained. 

 

The program has been designed to support educators and employers alike, with one practicum placement allowed within the Diploma educators own service*, and with employers being reimbursed per hour for student’s professional practice backfill.

 

Other key features of the Innovative ITE degree include:

 

• ACECQA approved pathway for students with a Diploma
• Nationally recognised bachelor’s degree
• 18-month accelerated course with transition and mentoring support
• University tuition fees covered by the Victorian Government
• Free access to the Upskill Program study supports and resources
• Curated professional development through ECA and access to further supports after graduation for transition into a teaching role
• Once-off funding for personal technology support.

 

(*Students on professional practice cannot be counted in ratio)

 

Applications are now open and will remain open until 27 May, with students enrolling in this cohort expected to graduate by the end of next year. Places are limited and only available via the Front Project.

 

To be eligible for this opportunity the following application criteria must be met:

 

• Australian Citizen
• Live and work within Victoria
• Completed an ACECQA approved Diploma in Early Childhood in the past 10 years*
• Work on the floor in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service
• Be ready to study full time for 18 months
• Ready to begin in June 2022
• Comfortable with technology and intensive study.

 

(*Conditions apply)

 

Students approved for the Innovative ITE degree will receive free access to the Front Project’s Upskill Program, a mixed mentoring, resources, and peer-to-peer support program that helps university students confidently navigate the key milestones of undertaking early childhood teaching qualifications through to completing their degree.  

 

For more information, please read the ITE Innovative Degree flyer or visit the application page here. Image sourced from ACU.