Tara Murray
A new program has been set up support childcare centres and provide new new career opportunities for Victorians facing barriers to employment.
More jobs in childcare will be provided as part of the state government program which will benefit the Brimbank area.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt announced recently that 150 jobs will be created as part of the Jobs Victoria Early Childhood Educator Jobs initiative.
The $2 million program, delivered in partnership with Chisholm TAFE, will enable more Victorian children to thrive, improve work-life balance for families and create more secure jobs in the early childcare sector.
The focus will be on supporting people who have experienced challenges securing employment during the pandemic, including women 45 and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians, and young people.
Participants will receive on-the-job training, working at early childhood centres and receiving an income while studying a certificate III in early childhood education and care. The program also provides additional mentoring and supervision on the job.
The state government is also releasing its updated kindergarten workforce strategy as part of the $5 billion plan to provide three-year-old children with access to an additional year of funded kindergarten programs.
The reform is expected to create around 6,000 new early childhood jobs including approximately 4,000 bachelor qualified teachers and 2,000 VET-qualified educators.
Ms Pulford said they were making it easier for people to build a career in this vital sector, providing training while workers earn a wage and gain on-the-job experience.”
“Targeting sectors that need workers makes a lot of sense and will be a winner for people that have had a tough time securing work – and families.”
