UOW receives $1.9 million funding boost to support early childhood teacher workforce

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has secured $1.9 million in new funding from the NSW Department of Education to expand its Early Years Accelerated program, a targeted initiative designed to grow the state’s early childhood teacher workforce.

The additional funding will provide up to 150 NSW-based diploma-qualified educators with scholarship payments of up to $6,000. The aim is to support those already working in early childhood education and care (ECEC), particularly in rural and remote communities, to upgrade their qualifications and become degree-qualified early childhood teachers.

The initiative addresses one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: attracting and retaining a qualified workforce, particularly in areas of workforce shortage. By removing common barriers to study, such as financial stress and the need to relocate, the program offers a practical and accessible pathway into early childhood teaching.

The course structure is designed to recognise the existing experience and expertise of diploma-qualified educators, offering a flexible, supportive and fast-tracked approach to university-level study.

Monica Eagleton, a current student in the program, described her experience as transformative.

“I have felt genuinely supported, understood and encouraged every step of the way,” she said. “The compassion, responsiveness and dedication of my lecturers and tutors have made this journey not only possible but truly life-changing.”

The expansion of the Early Years Accelerated program forms part of a broader strategy by the NSW Government to address ECEC workforce needs through targeted investment in education and training pathways. It aligns with the objectives of the National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy and supports efforts to strengthen access to high-quality early learning in all communities.

For more information about the Early Years Accelerated program, visit the University of Wollongong website.