The Department of Education, supported by the Colac Otway Shire Council, recently hosted a successful Early Childhood Workforce Expo in Colac.
The expo aimed to showcase careers in early childhood as well as highlight the range of State Government incentives available to people considering work in the kindergarten sector in rural and regional areas of Victoria.
The event brought together registered training organisations (RTOs), Victoria University, Practical Outcomes and Gordon TAFE with childcare service providers for community members to find out more about early childhood career opportunities.
“We were really pleased with how well attended the event was, it was great to provide our community with the opportunity to learn more about early childhood career pathways, all in the one place,” said Council’s Manager Connected Communities Tamzin McLennan.
“The Early Childhood Workforce Expo was a great opportunity for early childhood partners to come together and showcase the quality early childhood programs they provide to the children and families of Colac Otway.
“The event also had a strong career focus, with TAFE and university partners on hand to share information on the many diverse and flexible pathways leading to a rewarding career in early childhood.
“The early childhood sector is a rapidly-changing space. Local providers are working towards implementing 30 hours of free four-year-old kindergarten in 2027 in the Colac Otway Shire, and we know that there is extremely high demand for childcare in our area.
“We’re very grateful to the Department of Education for bringing the expo to our shire, and we hope that it has encouraged more people to consider a career in early childhood,” Ms McLennan said.
The Department of Education provided information on Early Childhood scholarships, traineeships and funding initiatives from the State Government.
In an Australian first, Victorian children can now access two years of funded kindergarten before school, giving children the skills they need to succeed in school and life. With the move to 30 hours of Pre-Prep for four-year-olds over the next decade, there will be many opportunities for new and aspiring early childhood teachers and educators across the state.
The Victorian Government is investing almost $370 million to attract high-quality early childhood teachers and educators to the sector and support existing professionals, so all children get the best start in life.
Ms McLennan said Council would continue to work with Department of Education to build the expo.
“We’re already working with the Department to consider how we can widen the scope of a future expo to encourage secondary students along with interested community members to consider early childhood as a potential career.”
