By TANIA PHILLIPS
KINGSCLIFF TAFE is set to support an initiative aimed at addressing the state-wide shortage of properly qualified children’s services workers in regional NSW.
The TAFE has quickly programmed in a special “summer school” course for people in the Tweed region who are planning a career in childcare following the NSW Government’s announcement that they aimed to give children in rural and remote areas more opportunities to access quality early childhood education.
The announcement was made by NSW Minister for Education and Communities, Adrian Piccoli in Tamworth this month.
“$4 million over four years will be allocated to rural and remote preschools to improve access for ‘hard to reach’ children through transport options and other outreach initiatives,” Mr Piccoli said.
North Coast TAFE Kingscliff Campus chief education officer, Dr David Short, welcomed the announcement.
“Not only will there be a steadily increasing demand for skilled childcare workers, but also high quality early childhood education is one of the key focuses of this recent announcement,” Dr Short said.
“Anyone looking for work in early childhood education needs both a qualification and actual workplace experience … for those people who can’t wait to get a head start to their career, this fast-track-type course could not come at a better time,” added Dr Short.
Dr Short said that the special course starts soon, on 25 November, and anyone needing further information should either call the North Coast TAFE 1300 628233 number or access the website onnorthcoast.tafensw.edu.au.
