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TAFE NSW expands leadership capability investment through new program for emerging ECEC leaders

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Fiona Alston

May 28, 2026

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TAFE NSW is deepening its investment in leadership capability across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, launching a targeted professional learning initiative designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of emerging leaders working in NSW services.

The TAFE Statement in Leadership Development Program forms part of the broader NSW Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Professional Learning Program, a multi-year partnership between TAFE NSW and the NSW Department of Education. The initiative aims to build workforce capability, support professional growth and improve long-term retention across the sector.

Delivered as a fee-free professional learning opportunity for eligible participants, the program reflects growing recognition that leadership is central to workforce sustainability, quality uplift and educator wellbeing.

Supporting emerging leaders across NSW

The leadership program is designed for educators, teachers and early-career service leaders with less than five years’ experience in leadership roles. This includes educational leaders, assistant directors, 2ICs, responsible persons and teachers stepping into leadership pathways.

By targeting emerging leaders, the program addresses a long-standing capability gap in the sector: many educators transition into leadership roles without structured preparation, mentorship or access to leadership-specific training.

TAFE NSW said the leadership stream has been designed to help participants build confidence, strengthen communication, develop practical leadership capability, support team culture and wellbeing, and navigate the operational realities of service leadership.

Part of a $10 million statewide workforce investment

The NSW Department of Education has committed $10 million to the ECEC Professional Learning Program, positioning it as a key component of the Government’s broader strategy to support workforce attraction, educator retention, career progression and capability development.

The investment reflects the increasing complexity of ECEC leadership, with services balancing workforce shortages, regulatory expectations, operational pressures and growing expectations around wellbeing, inclusion and culturally responsive practice.

A comprehensive professional learning ecosystem

The broader professional learning program provides access to a wide range of learning opportunities, including targeted leadership development programs, webinars and microskills, face-to-face workshops, communities of practice, networking opportunities and 24/7 online learning resources.

This ecosystem approach ensures educators and leaders can access learning in flexible formats that suit their roles, schedules and professional goals.

Responding to sector needs and workforce realities

The launch of the leadership program comes at a time of heightened focus on leadership capability across the ECEC sector. Services are managing increasing operational complexity, educator wellbeing pressures, ongoing workforce shortages, evolving regulatory and quality expectations, and the need for strong succession planning.

Across the sector, leadership capability is increasingly being recognised as a key driver of service quality, workforce stability, educator retention and organisational culture.

The TAFE NSW program aligns with these priorities, offering structured, accessible and government-funded leadership development at a time when services are seeking practical ways to support and retain their emerging leaders.

Co-designed with the sector

The ECEC Professional Learning Program was developed in consultation with early childhood educators, service leaders and sector stakeholders. This co-design approach ensures the content reflects the realities of practice, the challenges leaders face and the skills required to lead effectively in contemporary ECEC environments.

New learning opportunities will continue to be released through to mid-2027, providing ongoing access to leadership and capability-building pathways.

Strengthening the future of ECEC leadership

As the ECEC sector continues to evolve, the need for confident, capable and well-supported leaders has never been greater. TAFE NSW’s Leadership Development Program represents a timely and strategic investment in the next generation of leaders, supporting not only individual professional growth, but the long-term sustainability and quality of the sector.

Further information is available on the TAFE NSW course website.

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