The fourth TAFE Centre of Excellence, in Early Childhood Education and Care, has been established at TAFE SA. With joint state and federal funding of $28 million it aims to “be a skills leader in early childhood development.”

Early childhood education and care is an important and growing occupational area. The Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly, points out that:

 “A sustainable early childhood education and care workforce is vital to the Albanese Government’s vision for a universal early learning system that works for all children.”

And

“A strong early learning workforce will support all children being able to access the transformational benefits of early childhood education, no matter their background or where they live.”

SA’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer suggests:

“We are leading the nation in early childhood to improve the lives of generations of South Australian children – which is why it makes sense that the national TAFE Centre for Excellence in Early Childhood is based right here in South Australia.”

According to DEWR’s website the Centre will:

  • Lift the skills and capability of early childcare workers for essential care services on a national scale. It will do that through information sharing, industry demonstration, and resource development for organisations and educators across Australia.
  • Work with South Australian TAFE, Flinders University, University of South Australia and industry stakeholders to equip Australians with the skills needed to lift the ECEC sector.
  • Support the acceleration of commitments to Closing the Gap by partnering with First Nations stakeholders to customise and translate curriculum and learning resources.

According to the SA Premier’s press release, it will also:

  • Innovate training for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and fast track the development and delivery of higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways.
  • Work with sector experts to co-design, develop and pilot professional development programs within childcare centres.
  • Collaborate with the HumanAbility Jobs and Skills Council on the establishment and implementation of formal recognition of prior learning frameworks and tools.