Educator Elka returns to her childhood ECEC service with help from TAFE NSW

A TAFE NSW early childhood graduate has secured her first job in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector – the same service she attended as a toddler.

Elka Odgers, 19, recently accepted a role as an educator at TAFE NSW Narrandera Children’s Centre, a long-standing community facility that sits inside the grounds of the Elwin Street campus.

Ms Odgers attended the centre when she was aged between 2 and 3 years of age in 2005-06, and said it was a surreal experience to be returning to the centre to help shape the formative years of a new generation of locals.

“It’s really special and kind of feels like a trip down memory lane,” Ms Odgers said.

“Some of the educators there are the same ones I had as a child and it’s been an amazing experience.”

Ms Odgers studied a Certificate III and a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care through TAFE NSW, saying it gave her the practical skills and experience to make an immediate impact in the job.

“I’ve always loved children and babies but it wasn’t until I started studying the course at TAFE NSW until I started believing I could really do the job,” she said. 

“The years from zero to five years of age are the most important learning years of a child’s life and I love being there to nurture them.”

TAFE NSW Early Childhood Team Leader Justine Poidevin said Ms Odgers’ story was a powerful example of how TAFE NSW doesn’t just equip graduates with job-ready skills but also uses its sector and industry connections to help them secure a job.

“The early childhood sector is crying out for educators right now and TAFE NSW has unparalleled connections to help graduates secure the job they want,” Ms Poidevin said.

More information about TAFE NSW is available here.