South Australia apprenticeship surge highlights growing momentum in ECEC workforce development

South Australia is leading the nation in apprenticeship growth, with new data showing a surge in commencements across key industries including early childhood education and care (ECEC).

According to the latest release from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), apprenticeship and traineeship commencements in South Australia rose by 39.4 per cent in the year to March 2024. Notably, commencements in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care grew by 52.2 per cent, the largest increase of any field.

This trend marks a promising shift for a sector grappling with workforce shortages and escalating demand, particularly as South Australia prepares for the universal rollout of three-year-old preschool from 2026.

The South Australian Government has attributed this growth to its investment in fee-free TAFE, targeted apprenticeship incentives and cross-sector collaboration through initiatives like the South Australian Skills Plan. ECEC has been identified as a priority sector, not only due to workforce gaps, but because of its foundational role in the health, wellbeing and learning of children.

The spike in diploma-level enrolments suggests that targeted funding and structured career pathways are beginning to shift perceptions of ECEC as a viable and valued profession. It also reflects a growing awareness of the importance of qualifications aligned with the National Quality Framework and the professionalisation of the sector more broadly.

The demand for qualified educators continues to outpace supply across many parts of Australia. National reforms, including expanded preschool programs and commitments under the Preschool Reform Agreement, are further elevating the need for trained educators with the skills and knowledge to deliver quality play-based programs.

In this context, South Australia’s apprenticeship growth offers a potential model. By supporting more accessible, supported pathways into diploma-level roles, often through traineeships embedded in services, the state is strengthening both workforce capability and retention.

While these numbers are encouraging, long-term workforce sustainability will require more than increased enrolments. Support for on-the-job mentoring, regulated induction, and clear progression pathways into teaching and leadership roles remain essential.

It will also be critical to ensure that rising numbers of entrants are met with high-quality training experiences, both within registered training organisations and through practical placement in early learning services.

As other states and territories grapple with workforce pressures of their own, South Australia’s experience reinforces the value of coordinated, locally responsive workforce strategies. For ECEC professionals, it may also signal renewed recognition of the sector’s essential role in shaping children’s futures and the importance of building a workforce that is supported, respected and set up to succeed.