Affordability & Accessibility
Long Day Care
Nurruby Boggabri Early Learning Facility opens to alleviate regional ECEC pressures
Freya Lucas
Sep 21, 2022
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Whitehaven Coal is the latest business to step up and support early childhood education and care (ECEC) as the ongoing workforce and availability crisis continues to impact on employers, committing to support staff from the recently established Nurruby Boggabri Early Learning Facility, investing $100,000 over five years to fund training and education of local staff.
Until the creation of the service, families living in the regional New South Wales community of Boggabri had to travel to and from Narrabri or Gunnedah for access to education and care, limiting locals’ ability to enter or return to the workforce.Since the service opened just over a year ago, positions have been found for more than 60 children each day, as well as boosting local training and employment opportunities.
“The biggest impact felt within the community has been to support parents to go back to work, or take on more work,” explained Nurruby Managing Director Prue Jamieson.
“Another huge benefit is that we can provide not just employment but also training opportunities for locals. Already in a year we’ve been able to upskill nine of our employees, including trainees in early education.”
While Ms Jamieson was candid in sharing that the centre was suffering the same staff shortages being felt across the nation, being able to train locals was having a positive impact and alleviating some of the workforce pressures.
“The hardest part at the moment is the ability to attract suitably qualified staff,” she said.
“The ongoing funding from Whitehaven Coal is making a big difference by allowing us to employ and upskill locals to obtain the qualifications needed.”
“We always look to invest in the community in ways that leave a positive social and economic legacy, and we’re proud to be able to do just that in Boggabri, especially in the current tight labour market,” Darren Swain, Whitehaven Coal’s General Manager – Community Engagement replied.
To learn more about Nurruby Boggabri Early Learning Facility, please see here.
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