Vic Government launches Upskill program to boost ECT numbers in the state

Early childhood educators in Victoria who are wishing to upskill to a Bachelor qualification will have even more support with the announcement earlier this week of an innovative new partnership between the Victorian Government and the Front Project. 

The Upskill program was launched by the state’s Early Childhood Minister, Ingrid Stitt, who said the $452,500 program will support up to 100 early childhood educators to transition to University and gain qualifications. 

Educators will have wraparound support including information sessions, webinars, study support, and professional and leadership development opportunities as they complete their tertiary journey. 

Specialised support will be available for those who are living and working in rural and remote areas, the first in their family to attend university, employed by smaller service providers, or where English is not their first language. 

To be eligible for the program educators must be Diploma qualified, living in Victoria, working in a Victorian ECEC setting or three-year-old kindergarten program, and have the intention of becoming an early childhood teacher through studying an approved Bachelor’s degree. 

The program will commence in July 2022 to support students ready to begin their university studies in Semester 2 of the current academic year. For more information about the program, please see here.