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WA Government pilots short course ECEC qualification to meet growing demand
Freya Lucas
Nov 04, 2022
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The West Australian Government will partner with the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector to pilot a Job Ready pre-employment program with the aim of attracting and upskilling more early years professionals to the local workforce.
Combining a short course and work experience to introduce participants to the world of ECEC, the new ECEC Job Ready program is the latest in a suite of new skill sets - developed in collaboration with WA sectors industries - to deliver “short, sharp training” for job seekers and young people, enabling them to upskill or reskill into industries with a need for skilled workers. The entry-level program also includes wrap-around supports to reduce barriers for participants and guide them to completion of their training. The first three cohorts of students have started the program through North Metropolitan TAFE in Leederville, registered training organisation Meerilinga Training College in West Leederville, and North Regional TAFE in the Kimberley. The program is being offered as both full-time or part-time, in order to cater to the needs of identified job seeker cohorts. For example, Year 12 school leavers in the metropolitan area are undertaking the program full-time for five weeks, while mothers returning to work in the Kimberley region are participating on a part-time basis over 10 weeks. Graduates of the program gain credits towards a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and are supported to transition into a traineeship with an employer or undertake further training to become fully qualified early childhood educators. The program complements other training and workforce initiatives introduced by the West Australian Government to support the ECEC sector, including:
- $1 million in local government grants to assist with attracting and retaining childcare workers;
- significantly reduced course fees for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and a range of other care qualifications through the Lower fees, local skills program; and
- low-fee existing worker traineeships for childcare workers (sic.).
The ECEC Job Ready program is a unique collaboration between the State Government, North Regional TAFE, Community Skills WA, Broome Local Jobs, and local sector and industry representatives.
It is being delivered as an outreach program at Broome CIRCLE, to provide local mothers returning to work with access to crèche facilities while they complete their training. Participants will also be supported by Nyamba Buru Yawuru, through their Warrmijala Murrgurlayi (Rise up to Work) Sustainable Employment Program. Job Ready programs are part of the State Government's $5.5 billion investment in WA Recovery Plan initiatives to upskill the WA workforce and enhance employment and training opportunities following the COVID-19 outbreak. The training is free for job seekers of all ages, young people, and eligible school students. Employers of students who transition into traineeships will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives or wage subsidies. For more information or to register an interest in the program, visit the Jobs and Skills WA website.
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