Industry collaborations helping build future early childhood workforce in Melbourne’s West

A new partnership between Y Careers, Swinburne University of Technology and BPA Children’s Services is creating new career pathways for young people while helping address workforce shortages across the early childhood education sector.

Through the program, trainees can earn while they learn, working in early learning centres while completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

BPA Children’s Services, a not-for-profit provider operating 35 centres across Melbourne’s western suburbs, currently has 25 trainees in placement, with recruitment underway for 5 additional trainees.

Training Delivered by Swinburne

Under the partnership, Swinburne University of Technology delivers the education component of the program, combining online learning, classroom training and workplace assessment.

 

The partnership will enable Y Careers trainees to receive high-quality vocational education and gain valuable hands-on experience in early learning centres.

Debbie McLaughlin, Director of Health, Community and Education (HCE) at Swinburne University of Technology, said the collaboration demonstrates the power of strong industry partnerships.

“This collaboration between Y Careers and Swinburne University of Technology demonstrates the significant value of industry partnerships, enabling Swinburne to work alongside trusted partners to strengthen the ECEC workforce, respond to sector needs, and create accessible, supported pathways for learners to build successful and rewarding careers.”

With more than 100 years of experience delivering vocational education, Swinburne is recognised for its strong industry connections and modern learning environment.

Anna Booth, Executive Manager – Education and Innovation at Y Careers, said the partnership strengthens pathways between vocational training and higher education.

“Swinburne has excellent infrastructure and a long history of training young people,” Ms Booth said.

“This partnership gives our trainees access to a quality education provider while also opening pathways into university if they choose to continue their studies.”

Trainees working with BPA Children’s Services work 38 hours per week, including paid study time, while completing the qualification over approximately 18 months, at no cost to the trainee.

Building the Future Workforce

BPA Children’s Services CEO Tim Watts said the program helps centres support young people entering the workforce while addressing staffing shortages.

“We really appreciate how Y Careers supports our people and culture team with wraparound support for young people. Our teams are great, but they don’t have that full expertise or the bandwidth, time or energy to spend with the new trainees, given their focus on the centre and children.” 

“With workforce shortages in this sector, we think this model has scalability and legs.” For trainees, the benefits of the program are clear.

"This pathway is helping me gain experience, build my confidence, and open up more opportunities for my future in childcare.” “I have always wanted to work with children, and doing this traineeship has helped me learn so much.” "With this program, I am gaining real experience while studying, and this is helping me to grow both at work and in my course. I feel confident that what I have learnt at BPA will help me move forward in my career.”

 

Completing the Certificate III is often the first step into a rewarding career working with children. Many educators continue their studies with the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, while others go on to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and become early childhood teachers or centre leaders.

The partnership is now embedded in BPA Children’s Services’ workforce strategy, helping build a pipeline of future educators while creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people.

For more information about Y Careers, please visit www.ycareers.org.au

In the photo, from left to right: Anne Marie Parkinson - Learning and Development Manager at BPA Children’s Services, Trainees Emma and Hadiya, Jayden Parson - Y Careers Program Delivery Manager.