Advocacy
Workforce
Tina Holtom (CEO) shares her reflections this Educators Day through an advocacy lens
Freya Lucas
Sep 12, 2022
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Due to the current climate around critical educator shortages, Tina Holtom, Child Australia CEO, has shared her reflections on the occasion of Educators Day through an advocacy lens.
The following extract has been taken from a communication circulated to all Child Australia staff.“On the eve of Educators Day, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our advocacy for the profession,” she began.
“Advocacy comes in many different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s obvious, and other times it’s obscure, but I’ll share a little about what we have been up to.”
“I’ve come to understand that our funders and supporters can be our biggest advocates. Many are trying to understand the complexities surrounding the ‘childcare’ sector as they navigate their own concerns on attracting workforce. As they navigate this new space, one thing is clear, our voice is amplified if we stand on the shoulders of giants.”
“I have certainly had to learn to reframe my mindset in ways that have been truly challenging. I have spoken about this sector in what has often felt like a foreign language, referring to the ‘economic benefits of childcare’, the ‘childcare sector as a core enabler for boosting workforce productivity’ and how we encourage more ‘workforce participation for women’. While all of this is completely factual, it’s not how I would ordinarily speak about our sector, but it's language that works for the audience that needs to hear it.”
“Governments, corporates, funders…we need to take them on a journey of understanding. As educators, your voice is being heard, this I can assure you.”“From hard truths to dispelling myths, hand on heart I have said it ALL…time and time again, things like”:
- “Yes, Educators need formal qualifications”
- “There are some Educators living on the poverty line”
- “Some Educators can’t get a loan on their own”
- “Here are some of the requirements of the Educator role”
Over the last six months or so, Child Australia have strongly advocated on ECEC sector workforce issues including:
- active engagement in several early childhood committees, reference groups, stakeholder groups;
- collaborating with aligned NFP organisations and led joint written submissions to Governments to inform the Jobs & Skills Summit;
- providing backbone support to independent advocacy organisation;
- writing advocacy papers for funders so they can advance our position with their own government relations teams;
- supporting State and Territory Governments with various briefings; and,
- attending an invitation-only Ministerial Roundtable with Federal Minister Dr Anne Aly.
“And I promise you, it’s working,” Ms Holthom continued. “While we continue our strong advocacy for Educators and the sector more broadly, we’re deeply committed to ensuring that we practice what we preach. As we focus our aim on being an employer of choice, our most recent initiatives are testament to our commitment.”
“This sector, this profession, needs to stand up and be noticed for all the right reasons – I don’t know about you but I’m really over the negative beat up. Yes, we have work to do, but it starts with each of us – our own individual commitment, the language we choose, our actions, how we truly represent this profession.”Access the original coverage of this piece here.
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