The NSW Government announced a new $4.7 million early childhood education and care facility at TAFE NSW St Leonards.

According to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Assistant Minister for Skills Adam Marshall, the new facility would aid in delivering 7,000 new childcare and child education workers. 

“We are responding to increasing demand for child care and education by investing millions to train our students so they can complete their early childhood education and care studies at a significantly reduced cost,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This Government understands alleviating pressures on working families is key to quality of life, and we are committed to supporting our families by skilling the workforce we need to care for and educate our children.”

“By investing $4.7 million to create state-of-the-art facilities at TAFE NSW St Leonards we are able to provide students with a simulated workplace to hone their skills and provide education and care to young members of the community,” she added.

From now on, the NSW Government would offer financial support to eligible students studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW, covering 75 per cent of course fees. This would allow students to save $5,000. 

Mr Marshall said TAFE NSW was continuing to provide NSW with the skilled workforce it needs and was encouraged by steady enrolment growth in TAFE’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

“Between 2016 and 2017, enrolments increased 6 per cent, and compared to this time last year, enrolments in this area are up by approximately 3 per cent demonstrating the stead demand there is for these key qualifications,” he said.