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Abundant opportunities for ECEC professionals in Victoria, where the future looks bright

Freya Lucas

Sep 17, 2024

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Partnering with a select number of universities, TAFEs and RTOs across the state, the Victorian government is supporting qualification options to attract future teachers and educators wishing to transition into the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector or to upskill from their existing qualifications.

A range of course options are available through the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program (ECTP), including tailored courses with additional support for students at all stages of their career, from those starting out with a Certificate III through to diploma and teaching qualifications.

With educator courses available through Chisholm Institute, Gowrie Victoria, Victoria University TAFE, VICSEG New Futures and Wodonga Institute of TAFE, and early childhood teacher qualifications through Deakin, Federation, Monash, Swinburne and Victoria Universities, the future for ECEC professionals in the education state is bright.

Delivering high-quality, accessible career pathways

The ECTP program builds on the existing Innovative Initial Teacher Education (IITE) program, by providing high-quality, supportive pathways to access a career in early childhood education. There are a wider range of flexible options to complete your early childhood teaching degree through some of Victoria’s leading universities, complemented by wrap-around and financial supports to help you to complete your studies.

For those who choose to study through TAFE, opportunities to access tuition-fee Free TAFE qualifications may also be available. There is also a wide range of scholarships and incentives available to support further study, including the Aboriginal Pathways Scholarship Program.

Those who are considering their professional growth in 2025 and beyond are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities on offer.

A chance to make a fresh start

Josephine Grenouille, a Certificate III trainee from the Exceeding rated Jindi Worabek Children’s Centre is one of hundreds of professionals in Victoria who have taken steps into ECEC with the help and support of Jobs Victoria and the ECTP.

Her traineeship structure allows her to work full time while also advancing her career by completing her nationally recognised qualification through Chisholm TAFE.

The combination of being able to earn an income while also getting on-the-job training, supplementing the course material and theory of her study, has meant her introduction to ECEC has been an enjoyable and sustainable experience.

“I just love being with the children, and seeing them thrive,” she said. “It’s just fantastic, watching them grow and achieve lots of goals.” Learn more about what Josephine had to say about Chisholm Exciting New Discovery (youtube.com)

Chisholm, along with Wodonga Institute of TAFE, Swinburne, Federation University, and Deakin all offer students the opportunity to earn and learn locally. Flexible learning options mean emerging professionals can tailor the course to suit their needs while continuing to work within a service.

ECEC employers who sign up to take on trainees are supported too, with the program offering access to high quality, work-ready early childhood educator graduates, as well as supporting them to retain their existing staff who are looking for opportunities to upskill.

In some instances, employers can access additional incentives and support such as customised and rigorous screening and matching, mentoring support and Government funded financial incentives.

Supporting communities

Acknowledging that many culturally and linguistically diverse communities face additional barriers to entering the ECEC workforce, Gowrie Victoria, Victoria University TAFE and VICSEG New Futures all take a customised, culturally sensitive approach to building belonging and community within the profession.

While this representation and diversity is needed in services throughout the state, the presence of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) ECEC professionals is especially important to those services with a high proportion of children and families from CALD communities within their service.

The courses offered by VICSEG New Futures, Gowrie Victoria and Victoria University TAFE offer additional wrap-around supports for those wishing to study the Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, designed to help students enjoy a positive learning experience.

These supports include:

hands-on training and flexible learning schedules or locations
on-site childcare at affordable rates for parents wishing to study
qualified bilingual and experienced staff being available to train and assist the students
professional support for both mentors and services
culturally responsive supports and supported transition into employment opportunities

Gowrie Victoria and Our Place have already delivered an intensive pilot program, which was designed to develop an understanding of the benefits and reality of working in ECEC.

The pathway program provided a range of wrap-around supports for those interested in an ECEC career, including offering additional language and learning support and intensive mentoring.

“Through the program we have created a little village of women who supported each other,” a community worker from Our Place shared.

“They come from diverse backgrounds, like Iraq, and Eritrea, and Sudan, Somali and other countries, but they have become a universal sisterhood.” To learn more about what students had to say about the program, take a look: One of the students who participated in the VICSEG New Futures pathway had a similar experience, saying “it is important that we as educators are from different cultures and different countries because we have families from different cultures. (Without us) children can start kindergarten afraid because they come from a different place.”

If you are interested in learning more about what the Victorian government is doing, in partnership with VICSEG New Futures, to strengthen diversity within early childhood education, take a look at their in-language videos.

Applications for ECTP programs are now open with many of our universities taking enrolments for 2025. Whether you are interested in progressing your career in early childhood education, referring a staff member or taking on a trainee on service placement, go to Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au) or contact the university/TAFE/RTO directly to learn more about all the programs on offer.

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