Aspiring early childhood educators in the Ku-ring-gai Electorate are set to receive a financial boost from the NSW Government’s $23.5 million investment in a new scholarship program.

Early childhood educators looking to complete a Certificate III or Diploma can now benefit from scholarships worth up to $3,000 or $5,000. 

Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC said that the Liberals and Nationals in Government are supporting aspiring educators to upskill with these new scholarships.

“Our early childhood workforce is critical to delivering a quality early learning for our youngest learners, and these scholarships will help attract and retain this important workforce,” Mr Henskens said.

“I encourage anyone who is wanting to develop their skills in the early childhood and care sector to apply for these scholarships to assist with any financial cost associated with studying.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new VET scholarships are part of the NSW Government’s $281.6 million package announced in the Budget early this year to attract, retrain and support early childhood educators and teachers in NSW.  

“Early childhood education and care professionals make all the difference to the lives of children and families in NSW, and this new initiative will help this critical workforce to grow and upskill,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The scholarships will work in conjunction with the 25,000 fee-free places for a Cert III or Diploma qualification, which means scholarship recipients will receive a cash boost to support their studies in addition to not having to pay course fees.”

The scholarship round will be open from 15 November 2022 to 15 January 2023. 

The NSW Government has committed $15.9 billion to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW through a revolutionary transformation of early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade. Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiative, workforce package and affordable preschool funding, the Liberals and Nationals Government are ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family. 

Current and aspiring educators are encouraged to explore the new dedicated Early Childhood Careers section of the Department of Education’s website by visiting education.nsw.gov.au/EarlyChildhoodCareers.