Enrol in the right qualifications, choose the right industry and there are plenty of jobs in the Shoalhaven, as a class of TAFE NSW Nowra students recently discovered.

All but one student (who is having a baby) from this year’s Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care course at TAFE NSW Nowra have been offered employment in the Shoalhaven.

The child care services industry is growing and, as Australia’s largest education and training provider, TAFE NSW is building a pipeline of skilled early childhood educators to the sector.

According to a report by Ibisworld industry research, attendance at child care centres has been increasing over the past decade, a trend that is projected to continue.[1]

TAFE NSW Nowra student Courtney Bishop (20) from North Nowra is one of the students who has secured full-time employment at Jumping Jellybeans in Berry. She was previously employed on a casual basis in the aged care industry, but needed stable hours and full-time work, so she gained the TAFE NSW qualifications to switch from aged care to early childhood care.

Courtney said she particularly enjoyed the weekly play session with children.

“Parents come with their children to TAFE NSW Nowra’s weekly play session for us to learn how to work with families and their children.

“Access to that level of practical, hands-on training, under supervision at TAFE NSW gave me, and the other students, a chance to gain confidence in working with children before we went out into the industry for work placement.

“I’m much more confident now than when I first started; not just in working with children but also more confident in the workplace in general.”

Jumping Jellybeans offered Ms Bishop full-time employment. They also encouraged her to enrol in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

“It’s very exciting, after my Diploma, I think I’ll do my Bachelor Degree through TAFE NSW.”

The Shoalhaven community can explore course and career options by visiting TAFE NSW Nowra InfoFest between 27 and 27 June or attend online information sessions at www.tafensw.edu.au.