WA releases Workforce Action Plan to build skilled ECEC workforce

The Western Australian Government has released an action plan to support workforce development in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, specifically focussing on regional areas.

 

“Early childhood educators play such a huge role in supporting our young children’s development and growth,” said WA Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton.

 

“We know the benefits of good early childhood education and we can’t do that without quality and dedicated early childhood educators and staff.”

 

Training initiatives will help to address the demand for regional ECEC options, in response to a State Training Board report and an investigative process by Community Skills WA which explored ECEC workforce challenges in regional WA.

 

“A skilled and well supported early childhood education and care workforce is critical to meet childcare (sic.) needs in the regions. The strategies identified in this report acknowledge the workforce challenges facing regional childcare providers and highlight the importance of access to quality local training and employment pathways,” said State Training Board Chair Jim Walker. 

 

The Workforce Action Plan (available here) addresses nine recommended strategies put forward by the State Training Board’s Regional Early Childhood Education and Care Report, complementing the initiatives already underway, including:  

 

• funding local government grants to help attract and retain childcare workers as part of the McGowan Government’s $5.1 million election commitment to improve access to early childhood education and care in regional WA;

 

• providing low-fee existing worker traineeships for key ECEC qualifications to help the sector address the need to upskill its workforce; and,

 

• introducing an Early Childhood Education and Care Job Ready program, which provides entry-level candidates with a pathway into traineeships and jobs in the industry (sic.). 

 

According to the ABS Labour Force Survey, as of February 2023 an estimated 14,600 Western Australians are employed as childcare workers or childcare managers. Over the past 12 months, the estimated number employed in these occupations has increased by 1,600.

 

The report, which was informed by extensive consultation with the regional ECEC sector, and the State Government’s Workforce Action Plan are available on the State Training Board’s website.