Canterbury Children’s Cottage described the move as a positive one.
“We are 100 per cent behind having the fee-free courses but wage subsidies would also help,” a spokesperson said.
“Workers in our industry deserve and need a pay rise.”
Squiggles and Giggles Early Learning Childcare Centre in Bankstown, say the fee free training will definitely boost the quality of care in the early learning sector.
“Giving educators a choice to upskill to take on new roles as early learning educators will provide more high-quality early childhood services in NSW,” Squiggles Director Ghada Diab said.
“Having educated staff at my service who constantly take part in courses gives me peace of mind we are providing a high-quality early childhood service for our children and their families.”
Christine Legg, CEO of KU Children’s Services which operates KU Milperra, Chester Hill, Georges Hall and Padstow, is thrilled with the move is thrilled with the move.
“It means we will now have a pipeline of staff coming as it will be so much easier to get qualifications,” she said.
“This is fantastic as there is definitely a staffing issue in the industry at the moment.”
“Wages will still be an issue for most, not at KU as we payer high rates, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Minister for Skills and Training, Alister Henskens, says the fee-free courses will help remove barriers to accessing quality vocational education and training.
“This investment in fee-free courses enables you to get a job in an incredibly rewarding industry, study for free and earn while you learn,” he said.
The early childhood workforce is set to boom with the NSW Government committing 25,000 fee-free training places to bolster the pipeline of skilled and job-ready workers for the early learning and care sector.
State Member for East Hills Wendy Lindsay said fee-free courses will help people upskill and boost budgets by removing barriers to accessing quality vocational education and training.
“This investment in fee-free courses enables you to get a job in an incredibly rewarding industry, study for free and earn while you learn,” Wendy Lindsay said.
Info about courses and eligibility is available at skills.education.nsw.gov.au.
Cheer free training but need pay rises
CHILDCARE Centre operators have welcomed the State Government’s move to offer 25,000 fee-free training places but say the plan doesn’t go far enough to truly boost the sector.