More learners in the Ballarat region will be supported to gain a rewarding career in early childhood education and care as Three-Year-Old Kindergarten becomes a reality, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle today visited Federation University’s Mount Helen Campus to promote the start of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to the Free TAFE course list from this year.
The Labor Government’s Free TAFE reduces the financial barrier for students wanting to train in courses that lead to jobs in demand from Victorian employers.
The increased demand for qualified early childhood educators is due to the roll-out of the Government’s biggest reform in early childhood education in the state’s history.
It is expected to create more than 6,000 new early childhood teaching jobs, including 2,000 VET-qualified educators and 4,000 degree-qualified teachers by 2029.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is starting in 2020 in six regional local government areas including Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, South Gippsland, Strathbogie and Yarriambiack. Three year-olds in the Ballarat region are set to begin in 2022.
By 2022, Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will be available statewide, with children having access to at least five hours of kindergarten per week, ensuring every child has a great start in life.
Since 2015, the Government has invested more than $1.3 billion to rebuild the state’s TAFE system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle
“Having these courses added to the Free TAFE list is going to give more people the opportunity to take on a rewarding career educating and caring for our littlest Victorians, including right here in the Ballarat region.”
“We’re investing almost $5 billion over the decade as part of the biggest reform to early childhood education in Victoria’s history, giving our three-year-olds an extra year of learning, playing and making friends.”
