Media releases

Childcare workers in the western Victoria will be able to gain a new qualification and increase their career opportunities through a new diploma at Federation TAFE’s Wimmera campus. 

Federation TAFE is working with local employers to deliver new courses that will help tackle the skills shortage in the region, with childcare among the critical areas. 

The strong demand for childcare in the region means many families are on waiting lists for childcare services, with the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten increasing demand. 

The new Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will be offered at the Wimmera campus in semester two, from July this year. 

The diploma is part of the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program. 

It provides students currently studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education at the Wimmera campus with an opportunity for further study, while local childcare workers or those looking for a career change can upskill or retrain in an industry with strong demand for skilled workers. 

An information session will be held at Federation TAFE’s Wimmera Campus at 12.30pm on Thursday 20 May. 

Quotes attributable to Federation University Pro Vice Chancellor (Vocational Education and Training) and CEO TAFE, Liam Sloan  

“We are constantly talking to local employers to find out where the skills shortages in our regions are so we can offer training for the jobs that are in demand.” 

“There is a critical shortage of early childhood educators in the Wimmera and this new Diploma will provide more training opportunities for locals looking for a new career, or a chance to upskill for those already working in childcare.”