Kalgoorlie is fast-becoming one of the best places to take up a traineeship as an educator.
One Tree’s Community Services Registered Training Organisation says the ‘prospects’ are good for those seeking a career in early childhood education
“Strong gold prices, a resurgence in the local mining industry and a new lithium processing plant planned for the town means more families and more children,” explains Sam Bullen the RTO manager at One Tree.
“The government plans to increase subsidies for early childhood education programs, which means you’ll never be out of work once you qualify as an educator.”
One Tree works in partnership with the Goldfields Childcare Centre to offer on the job school based traineeships to teenagers who are in year 11 or 12.
“One of the current trainees, Kristie Frame, is half way through her 3-year Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. She works at the centre full time, has regular visits from her trainer and mixes this with study,” explains Sam.
“I love my job, especially when I work in the babies’ room. A traineeship is perfect as I get an income while studying. Plus, there’s a real demand for experienced educators in this part of WA,” says Kristie Frame.
Assistant director at Goldfields Childcare Centre, Rachel Booker says Kristie’s a valuable member of the team.
“Kristie has a real thirst to learn more and be an accomplished educator. She is super enthusiastic and doesn’t mind moving around working with different aged children.”
The Goldfields Childcare Centre has 20 children in out of school hours care and a further 58 in long day care with 67 children on the waiting list.
Reasons to choose a traineeship to become a qualified educator include:
- Mining industry picking up which means more interstate movement to WA and more children needing childcare
- More babies being born. Numbers released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows there’s an increase year on year by approximately 1.79%. One new baby is born every one minute and 43 seconds in Australia.
- On the job traineeship offers hands on learning, combined with an income and a recognised qualification.
- You’re seen as highly employable by future potential employers and there’s a strong likelihood you’ll be offered a permanent position where you’re training.
- Government subsidies will bring down childcare costs, encouraging more people to want childcare places.
Note to journalists
Image attached shows Kristie Frame who is on a current traineeship and Kristie with children at her service. Approval is given by parents for photographs to be used by the media.
