The Department of Education has developed an action plan to further support the early childhood education and care workforce in regional Western Australia.
The plan addresses nine recommended strategies put forward in the State Training Board’s Regional Early Childhood Education and Care Report.
The State Training Board is the Government’s chief advisory body on WA’s training and workforce needs.
In a statement, the Department said implementing new training opportunities to help build a pipeline of skilled childcare educators remained a key Government priority.
“Many of the initiatives put forward to support the training and development of skilled workers in early childhood education are already under way,” the Department said.
These included funding Local Governments to help attract and retain childcare workers; providing low-fee existing worker traineeships for key early childhood educators; and the introduction of an Early Childhood Education and Care Job Ready program.
The program provided entry-level candidates with a pathway into traineeships and jobs in the industry.
Minister for Training, Simone McGurk said the State Training Board, together with Community Skills WA, had produced an in-depth review of the early childhood education and care workforce challenges in regional WA.
“This critical sector supports children’s development and enables parents to work, and this report will guide how we identify training opportunities to further build the workforce,” Ms McGurk said.
“Helping women transition back into the workforce is crucial to help fill skills shortages and is an essential element in the Government’s plan to support the State’s economy.”
Further information about the State Training Board’s Regional Early Childhood Education and Care Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
