Central Coast residents looking at a career in early childhood education can apply for one of 439 scholarships being awarded across the state, to attract and retain staff.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said almost $11M has been invested from the 2022/23 state Budget to deliver scholarships to support educators in entering the workforce or to boost their skills as degree qualified early childhood teachers.
“Early learning professionals are invaluable and we need more of them, which is why we are making a record investment in the early childhood education workforce,” Perrottet said.
“This investment … will support our commitment to address workforce supply issues and build a sustainable pipeline of early childhood teachers for tomorrow.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the scholarships will help create a sustainable supply of early learning professionals, with every successful applicant to be awarded up to $25,000 under the 2022-23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program and Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships program.
“This record investment in scholarships will support our vision of a highly qualified and sustainable workforce, meeting the needs of NSW families and children,” he said.
“We want to build a stronger and brighter future for NSW families and we know that building on the early childhood workforce is a no-brainer in delivering this commitment to families.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said one third of all successful scholars live and work in regional and remote areas across the state, which will help create lasting benefits now and into the future for all NSW children, families and the economy.
“These scholarships will support recipients to deepen their understanding of early childhood environments and gain additional skills and capabilities which will be passed on to the children they teach,” she said.
The NSW Government has committed $15.9B to transform early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade, including the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year.
More information can be found on the Education Department’s website under Professional development and scholarships.
Source:
Media release, Jul 15
NSW Government