Now’s the time to become an in-demand early childhood educator

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Employment, training and in-demand roles have had a spotlight shone on them as a result of Labor’s Jobs and Skills Summit taking place in early September 2022.

According to Government projections, Australia’s workforce faces a skills shortage in key sectors — and an influx of qualified workers is needed. With early childhood education right near the top of that list, now could be the time to explore how to become an early childhood educator.

Insights into the national skills shortage

SEEK has put together a list of the top 20 in-demand roles in Australia right now, which reveals how factors like overburdened systems and decreased immigration of skilled workers throughout the pandemic have shaped the crisis. Media reports suggest that the worker shortfall is currently approaching half a million jobs.

Filling most needed jobs will be a key challenge for the government, employers and educators in the near future. Not surprisingly, SEEK’s data shows that early childhood education comes in at number eight.

Viewed in a negative light, this looks quite concerning – but a shift in perspective is all you need to see it as an opportunity.

Exciting new employment opportunities

One good thing about a skills shortage is that it puts emphasis on jobs, skills and training. This is where Registered Training Organisations (RTO) like Practical Outcomes come in. We partner with sector leads and employment service providers to offer quality training and access to employment, equipping graduates with everything they need to enter the workforce with confidence.

The current demand for skilled workers means that opportunities for employment and career progression abound. Whether you’re already working in one of these dynamic sectors or looking to start something new, one thing is certain: there’s never been a better time to focus on your career.

Below, we’ve put together a helpful guide to making the most of in-demand roles in early childhood education and care.

Make the most of the high demand for educators

Early childhood education and care centres are short-staffed and desperate for dedicated workers. The upside is that demand is causing a spike in wages – SEEK reports that in the past two years, average salaries for early childhood educators have jumped by about 15%.

With good wages, flexible conditions and the joys of assisting young Australians to learn, play and grow, there are many reasons to join the early childhood education sector.

Pathways for growth in early childhood education

Early childhood education is a broad field with various roles on offer. What you choose will depend on your interests and goals. Our early childhood education courses are designed with the sector in mind and updated regularly to reflect its many opportunities and changing demands.

The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the entry-level qualification you’ll need to work in the sector, and from there, you have the choice to build on your awards and experience with further learning.

The next level qualification is a Diploma, which we offer in several areas of study:

• CHC50121 Early Childhood Education and Care
• CHC50221 School Aged Education and Care

Depending on which area you choose, a Diploma can lead to employment in early childhood education such as kindergartens and early learning centres, after-school care, and in community leadership settings.

If university is your ultimate goal, the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care opens up a pathway to a Bachelor’s degree in primary teaching, which you will be eligible to undertake with Swinburne Online. As we always say, there’s more than one pathway to a meaningful career.

With around 6,000 roles to fill, new educators will find a successful and engaging career wherever they choose to go.

Traineeships to earn while you learn

Traineeships are a great way to get ahead in the sector while building your skills and confidence. You will have the ability to earn while you learn, all the while gaining valuable experience in a real workplace. Many individuals find permanent employment and make lasting connections with the people they meet during their time as trainees.

For service providers, traineeships offer a range of benefits including access to skilled workers, government funding and wage subsidies, and the ability to shape the right workforce for the job.

More broadly, traineeships cleverly address the talent shortage in the early childhood sector by connecting passionate workers with employers who need them.

Explore promising new career opportunities

The pandemic has changed the way we perform and think about work. While this does mean that some sectors face skills deficits and ongoing staff shortages, it also means the job market is open, thriving and waiting for you to make the most of it.

Now is an excellent time to join the early childhood education sector —find out how to get started by reaching out to our team.