ACECQA’s National ECEC Workforce Strategy implementation and evaluation plan released

The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has released the implementation and evaluation framework plan for its National Workforce Strategy: Shaping our Future. 

The plan provides additional detail as to how the Strategy will be implemented and evaluated and builds on the objectives and actions highlighted in the original Shaping our Future document that was published in September 2021. 

The National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Plan provides more detail on building a sustainable, high-quality, professionally recognised early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce, while recognising current pressures on the sector.

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly welcomed the release of the implementation and evaluation plan which was developed by ACECQA in partnership with sector peak bodies and all state and territory governments.

“We’ve been listening to early childhood education providers, peak bodies, unions and educators on the actions needed to address workforce shortages,” Minister Aly said.

“The strategy recognises that no one government, nor the sector itself, can fix the workforce shortage pressures alone – lasting solutions require a coordinated collaborative approach.”

Additional detail on the 21 practical actions first highlighted in the original strategy document designed to support the attraction, retention, quality and sustainability of the workforce in the long term are provided in this latest document, including 13 short-term actions to be progressed by the end of 2024.

The importance of the ECEC sector was recognised at both the National Cabinet meeting on 31 August 2022 and at the Albanese Government’s recent Jobs and Skills Summit although no concrete new initiatives were revealed at either event. 

Also launched this week was ACECQA’s Induction to the National Quality Framework, designed to improve access to professional development for early childhood educators and teachers.

Minister Aly said the release of the framework compliments the investment the Federal Government is making in skills and higher education.

“The framework is an important step forward in addressing these long-standing and persistent issues impacting the early childhood education and care workforce,” Minister Aly said.

“We’re continuing to prioritise initiatives that support the attraction and retention of a high quality and sustainable early childhood workforce.”

Shaping our Future and the Implementation and Evaluation Plan are available on the ACECQA website.