SUNITAFE is working towards filling the shortage of qualified early years educators in the Mallee and beyond with the introduction of a new delivery mode.
Future and current students have the option to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care through a blended delivery mode or a sector delivery mode.
The sector delivery mode allows registered trainees or people currently working in a regulated early years service to meet together online with their teachers fortnightly, as well as completing online learning.
The blended delivery mode is a combination of on-campus delivery and online topics, which include placements in regulated early years education services, arranged by SuniTAFE.
Early Years SuniTAFE teacher Michelle Etherington said the traditional model involved training delivered completely in the classroom, but now all learning content would be available online.
“(It) makes completing the course a lot more accessible, especially for those already out in the workforce,” she said.
“The new delivery modes are allowing a learn-and-earn option, which is extremely beneficial not only for those looking to get into that profession, but for employers.
“There is currently a skills shortage in the early years industry with many having experienced a tough time during COVID and educators leaving the sector, so now we are trying to rebuild our workforce not just locally but nationally as there is a critical shortage of educators.”
SuniTAFE student Hayley Walker said, as a mother of six, being able to work and study at the same time had been the “perfect” combination.
She is working as a Mallee Family Care Kindergarten Inclusive Support worker, while also completing her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
“I absolutely love kids and, before I had my own, I had wanted to be a primary school teacher but then I had my eldest straight out of high school so that all got put on the back burner,” she said.
“Studying university full time wasn’t suitable with having kids full time but now the kids are a bit older, and I saw the opportunity to study and work through SuniTAFE, I wanted to take this opportunity.”
