With National Skills Week (19-25 August) drawing to a close, Australians looking for a stable and rewarding career in a booming sector are encouraged to consider working within the early childhood education and care Industry.
The industry is experiencing significant growth, with demand for skilled workers expected to increase 22 percent by 2026, according to the 2023 Australian Government Productivity Commission Report. Data released this month from Jobs and Skills Australia reports a critical shortage of childcare workers across Australia, with more than 4,000 current vacancies as of June 2024.
To address the growing need, TAFE NSW is providing hands-on training that ensures a steady pipeline of qualified educators. It is currently offering a fee-free Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care and a fee-free Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. There were 19,200 enrolments in Early Childhood Education and Care courses over 2023, making it one of the most popular fee-free course areas.
Among the student success stories is Ariane Liskowski, a graduate of TAFE NSW Randwick. She initially completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care before advancing to the Bachelor Early
Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5). After graduating in 2023, she was appointed as the director of the newly opened Platinum Preschool in Bondi.
“I’m thankful for all the skills I learned through TAFE NSW,” Liskowski says.
“Understanding more about how children learn and how their brains develop has led me to implement wonderful programs at our centre. Programs include bush kindy, beach kindy, and an intergenerational program where we visit a local aged care home. The courses I’ve studied through TAFE NSW not only changed me as a person, but they also equipped me with the skills I needed to further my career in early childhood education.”
TAFE NSW Randwick Head Teacher of Early Childhood Education and Care Rosemary Ayoub says TAFE NSW is committed to delivering a pipeline of skilled early childhood education workers to help fill the industry shortage.
“Ariane Liskowski is a wonderful example of the high-quality graduates TAFE NSW is training to meet the
growing demand for early childhood educators both now and into the future,” says Ayoub.
“Our Early Childhood Education and Care programs combine theory with practical experience, providing
learners with the specialist skills needed for success in the workplace. Our graduates are well-equipped to
find employment quickly and many go on to further their careers through additional study or by gaining
valuable experience.”
