The State Government is expanding its Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Job Ready program in Western Australia

The State Government is expanding its Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Job Ready program to Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Karratha, Katanning, Kununurra, Mandurah, Northam and new metropolitan locations following the success of the program in Perth and Broome. All Job Ready programs are part of the FREE IN ’23 initiative, which includes 130 full qualifications and skill sets this year, including the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Fee free training is made available through the State Government’s partnership with the Commonwealth, which is showing strong results for priority sectors, including the care industry. The entry-level program was developed in consultation with industry to train more early childhood educators for work in the sector and enhance employment outcomes for participants. The program combines a short course skill set and work placement to introduce participants to an early childhood educator’s working environment, and includes wraparound supports to reduce barriers for participants to guide them to completion of their training. Of the almost 2,000 participants who have commenced Job Ready programs, almost half reported they have already secured employment in the industry or further training, adding to the pipeline of skilled workers needed across a range of essential sectors.