An inspiring new partnership aimed at boosting the number of Aboriginal early childhood educators in the Shoalhaven is set for its first influx of students at TAFE NSW Nowra.

Data shows the demand for Australian early childhood educators is likely to grow by 7% in the decade from 2016 to 2026.

A Wollongong childcare educator living with a rare condition that has seen her break bones nearly 50 times in her young life has now trained her focus on opening an “all-inclusive” childcare centre.

A TAFE NSW graduate has urged school leavers to consider a career in the booming childcare industry, saying it was a “richly rewarding” career where jobs were plentiful.

Australia’s early childhood education industry is dominated with female employees with statistics from the Australian Government revealing that less than 3 per cent of all employees are male.

Wanting to help make a difference, Doug Chiles commenced work as a classroom assistant at a local school and decided he wanted to upskill and focus his efforts on giving younger children the best start in life by studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Bathurst.

TAFE NSW and Dubbo Senior College student, Lilli-Rae Campbell is taking advantage of new employment opportunities in the community services and childcare industry. Lilli-Rae has recently completed a Certificate II in Community Services at TAFE NSW and has gained employment with the After School and Vacation Care Program at the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre Inc. trading as Connecting Community Services.

For Meike McDermott, helping develop young hearts and minds is more a calling than a job.

Gunnedah’s Zoe Devine is making a positive impression on all the children at Li’l Achievers Early Learning Centre, using the skills she learnt at TAFE NSW to kick-start her dream career.