Early childhood educators bring welcome relief to regional workforce

The Northern Territory’s regional early childhood education workforce has received a significant boost with the graduation of 13 educators from a Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE intensive training program. 

Earlier this year, the students arrived in the Territory from Papua New Guinea as part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) pilot, which aims to support industries across rural and regional Australia address ongoing labour shortages.

The educators travelled to Katherine and Alice Springs, where they were employed by local organisations following participation in a two-week intensive training program by CDU TAFE in Darwin. 

This month, three educators in Alice Springs and 10 in Katherine received their Statements of Attainment from their Educator Preparation Program at the respective CDU graduations. 

Participants Hellen Toak and Benita Paita, who joined Kentish Early Learning Centre in Katherine, said the program gave them invaluable preparation for entering the workforce. 

“This program really helped us add on to our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – in how the Australian framework works,” Ms Toak said. 

“We covered the regulations of the early learning centre, the policies, child protection, how to minimise risk in the centres and how to help young people, toddlers, early learners as they are growing up.”

Ms Paita added: “It was like a refresher from our previous studies. It helped us to actually know what to expect when we start working here.”

The participants will stay in Katherine and Alice Springs respectively for up to four years under the long-term stream of the PALM scheme. 

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE Michael Hamilton said it was a rewarding experience for the trainers to support the educators preparing to join the local workforce. 

“We’re incredibly lucky to have these educators enter the workforce in Katherine and Alice Springs where these roles are in high demand,” Mr Hamilton said. 

“These educators will allow up to 100 additional places for children to have supervision and provide immense relief for families seeking childcare in Katherine and Alice Springs communities. 

“It was a proud moment for us to see these educators don caps and gowns and receive their Statements of Attainment, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll continue to make on their local communities.”