Jobs in early childhood education and education support are predicted to increase significantly over the next four years with TAFE NSW providing employment-driven courses to meet the surge in demand.

The Australian Industry and Skills Commission forecasts that the number of early childhood educators will increase by a staggering 30 per cent between 2021 and 2025 with education aides to grow by 23 per cent over the same period.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Children’s Education and Care, Leandra Negrini, said early childhood educators and education aides helped give children the best head-start in life.

“Now is an excellent time to capitalise on continued growth in the sector and workers can take real pride in teaching the next generation of young Australians,” Ms Negrini said.

​​​​​​​TAFE NSW Bankstown graduate Annabella Andjelovic has just completed a Certificate III in Education Support and is making a career change after working for many years in tourism.

The 51-year-old said when COVID-19 decimated the tourism industry, she decided it was time to find a job with family friendly hours that she felt passionate about.

“I love children and I’m a foster mother as well, so the chance to be around young children and work with them was a natural fit for me,” Annabella said.

“The TAFE NSW teachers were so supportive and the work placement at a local primary school was great for developing practical skills. I know I will encounter challenges in this role because every child is different, but I am looking forward to those challenges and am so excited to start my new career.”

Ms Negrini said that TAFE NSW delivers an effective combination of practical industry training and the essential ‘soft’ skills needed to succeed in the industry.

“Emotional intelligence and ‘soft’ skills, in addition to strong communication and the ability to engage with children, have always been critically important attributes among workers in the sector,” Ms Negrini said.

“Educators and education support workers play a key role in supporting the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children, and that requires a multi-faceted skillset.

“Our practical courses at TAFE NSW arm workers with practical skills to provide direct supervision and care to children, but also with the attributes to work sensitively with parents and families, allied health professionals, and broader groups within communities.”

Explore hundreds of courses and pursue your passion with life-changing training at TAFE NSW. For more information visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Terra Sword, Communications Specialist. Phone: 6623 0325. Email: terra.sword@tafensw.edu.au.