The Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments have announced a joint investment of $28 million that will go towards establishing a new TAFE Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). The new centre aims to improve the qualifications and expertise of professionals working in early childhood education across Australia.
Set to be located at TAFE SA’s Adelaide metropolitan campus, the Centre of Excellence will focus on introducing training and skill development for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. The goal is to improve the skills and methods of childcare workers to boost care and education for children across the country.
This Centre will not only serve as an information-sharing hub, but also as a demonstration site where practices and educational resources can be developed and refined. A significant part of its strategy involves strengthening the pathways into the sector to ensure a strong employment framework for future early education professionals.
In partnering with Flinders University and the University of South Australia, the Centre plans to create new training products and apprenticeship pathways through collaborative efforts. These educational innovations promise to fast-track the professional development and certification processes in important areas of early childhood education.
The Centre will also focus on developing courses customised to the needs of First Nation communities. These courses will be designed through cooperative initiatives, ensuring they meet the specific needs of these communities effectively.
The Centre of Excellence is also set to work closely with the HumanAbility Jobs and Skills Council. Together, they will establish and implement a sophisticated system for recognising prior learning, facilitating easier access and progression for individuals already skilled in this sector.
The combined funding from the Albanese Government consists of an $11.5 million contribution matched by the Malinauskas Government, with an additional $5 million funded under the Employment White Paper’s Turbocharging TAFE Centres of Excellence initiative. This financial commitment emphasies the need to develop a well-trained workforce in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, in response to increasing demand for qualified early childhood educators.
Under the five-year National Skills Agreement which commenced on January 1st, the Australian Government, along with state and territory governments, are injecting $650 million to establish up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence.
“This Early Childhood Education and Care TAFE Centre of Excellence is a great example of the Albanese Labor Government partnering with states to place TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector,” Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said.
“This Centre of Excellence will help strengthen the VET sector by providing high-quality and responsive skills training for the education and care of our youngest Australians.
“This Centre of Excellence will help boost collaboration between TAFEs, universities and the sector and strengthen our early childhood education and care capabilities, while delivering the skills and knowledge our labour market requires.”
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