Roxby Downs Early Childhood Project trains locals to beat ECEC staffing shortages

The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Project, funded by BHP and provided by Uni Hub Spencer Gulf in collaboration with Central Queensland University, is taking a hands-on approach to providing desperately needed early childhood staff in the outback community. 

 

Four additional educators have been employed thus far as a result of the project which is part of the national Regional University Study Hubs program (Uni Hub).

 

Uni Hub Spencer Gulf assists students in rural or remote communities to access higher education without having to leave their local area. Since the project started in early 2023 ten participants have joined, six of whom are working at the Roxby Downs Children’s Centre – the only early childhood service in the town.

 

Participants undertake a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a 12-month program, but can work in the field while studying.

 

Four of the six gained employment at the service following the launch of the project, while the other two were already working there but needed to enrol in a qualification in order to retain their employment. 

 

Prior to the addition of the educators to the service through the program there were ongoing issues with staff shortages and high turnover at the service, project lead and Copper Coast Centre Manager for Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Sue Barry said, speaking with In Daily. 

 

“It’s an ongoing project now because of the success,” she shared. “We have a rolling intake of people which has now allowed the centre to be able to operate at capacity and not be restrictive with how many places they can offer families.”

 

As well as combatting workforce shortages the project has benefitted the community in other ways, not only through providing work for people, but also supporting those who may not have been able to afford training previously. 

 

The provision of ECEC has also freed up the local community to work in other roles in the community, including major employer Olympic Dam. 

 

“It’s just given people an opportunity to try something new,” she said. “It’s a chance for the Roxby Downs Children’s Centre to find the talent that’s existing in their own communities and build on that, and build a sustainable workforce.”

 

“We’ve connected the dots for everybody which is what we do.” 

 

South Australians wanting to obtain approved early childhood qualifications can now apply for financial assistance through the QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program, and eligible students from remote communities can also get up to $10,000 over the course of their study to offset related costs.

 

The initiative is part of the state government’s Early Childhood Workforce Strategy, a $96.6 million plan commenced in June aimed at upskilling and growing the childcare workforce ahead of the universal rollout of three-year-old preschool from 2026.

 

This story has been adapted from coverage which first appeared in In Daily. Find the original here.