Workforce numbers won’t rise without pay rise, Union says in response to report

The United Workers Union (UWU) has commented on the recently released Jobs and Skills report The Future of the Early Childhood Education Profession urging policymakers to heed recommendations relating to wage rises. 

“In recognising the link between entrenched low wages and the disincentive for educators to either work in the sector or stick around, this report offers a blueprint to reform a sector that is vital to families and vital to children’s futures,” Carolyn Smith, United Workers Union Early Education Director said. 

A wage increase to address the workforce crisis in early childhood education and care (ECEC) was one of the core recommendations in the report, which found that the current workforce levels are “not sustainable to even meet current levels of demand.”

“Workforce shortages are apparent in most regions across major cities, regional and remote Australia and are forecast to persist over the next ten years,” report authors noted, recommending that “Governments should contribute funding to drive long-term wage growth for ECEC workers.”

For the UWU, the report finding that the workforce is eight per cent below where it should be to meet current demand shows “just how bad things are for educators and those depending on them.”

“This report is important because it shows in full the workforce crisis affecting early childhood education and care, and therefore impacting the families and kids (sic.) who rely on these services,” Ms Smith said.

While it is welcome news for the Union that the Government has already committed to delivering a 15 per cent pay rise to address the crisis, Ms Smith noted the author’s recommendations for “an upwards shift in award wages,” and that the report also recommends “improved and higher wage levels for mid-career educators to build better career progression in the sector.”

Other recommendations in the report of note include: 

• Paid study leave 
• A reconsideration of HECS settings for educators
• Better pathways for First Nations educators

To read the report in full please see here. An analysis of the report can be found here, and the UWU statement in full here.