What WA’s new State Training Board Chair means for the early childhood workforce

Western Australia’s appointment of a new State Training Board Chair signals potential shifts in the vocational education and training system, with flow-on effects for the early childhood education and care workforce.

Western Australia has appointed Stephen Moir as Chair of the State Training Board, a move that, while not specific to early childhood education and care (ECEC), carries important implications for workforce supply and training pathways across the sector.

The appointment comes as services continue to navigate workforce shortages, increasing qualification requirements, and sustained pressure on training systems to deliver qualified educators.

The State Training Board advises the Western Australian Government on workforce and skills priorities, shaping the direction of the vocational education and training (VET) system.

This includes oversight of qualifications central to the ECEC workforce, such as the Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, along with traineeship settings that support workforce entry.

Mr Moir brings experience across the automotive, small business and training sectors, including leadership roles with the Motor Trade Association of Western Australia. His appointment reflects a continued focus on strengthening the skills pipeline, improving industry engagement, and ensuring training systems remain responsive to labour market demand.

While early childhood is not explicitly referenced in the announcement, the Board’s remit intersects with several critical workforce levers.

• Traineeships and apprenticeships
  Government priorities to expand traineeships and apprenticeships may influence funding settings, employer incentives and training provider capacity. This is particularly relevant for ECEC, where traineeships remain a key entry pathway.

   

• Qualification supply and quality
  The Board’s advice shapes how training providers respond to demand. In a sector experiencing persistent educator shortages, any shift in VET priorities can affect enrolments, completions and the availability of high-quality training.

   

• Industry engagement
  Mr Moir’s collaborative background may support stronger connections between the State Training Board and ECEC peak bodies, improving visibility of early childhood workforce needs in state-level planning.

   

• Long-term workforce planning
  Outgoing Chair Jim Walker has been recognised for strengthening links between industry and training providers. Continued focus on long-term planning remains critical, particularly given the structural nature of workforce shortages in ECEC.

The appointment presents an opportunity for ECEC providers, peak bodies and training organisations to engage more actively with skills governance structures in Western Australia.

Priority actions may include:

• monitoring State Training Board consultations and policy updates
• advocating for early childhood qualifications to remain a priority
• strengthening partnerships with registered training organisations to support quality outcomes
• highlighting workforce pressures, including attraction, retention and career progression challenges

Leadership changes within the State Training Board shape the policy settings that underpin workforce development. While not ECEC-specific, this appointment is relevant for stakeholders focused on workforce sustainability and the long-term supply of qualified educators.

Further details are available via the Western Australian Government media release here.