Free TAFE fuels growth in early childhood education enrolments

THE state and federal government’s free TAFE program has contributed to increased enrolments in early childhood education courses at The Gordon and is helping to train new educators for the embattled childcare sector.

The sector is widely considered to be in crisis as educators struggle with burnout, low pay and unattractive work conditions, and childcare centres face high staff turnover and an inability to meet service demands.

The Victorian government has offered free TAFE since 2019, with the federal government backing the program last year to deliver an additional 30,000 education places nationally through 2024 to training areas in high demand.

For Ben Flores F., who immigrated from Chile in 2015, the fee-free TAFE program had enabled him to begin working towards a “more meaningful” career.

“Without the program, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“If I didn’t have the opportunity for the free TAFE program, I wouldn’t have any opportunity to study.”

Before COVID, Mr Flores F. had been employed in the hospitality sector.

“COVID hit and I lost my job, I lost my income. I lost everything,” he said.

Mr Flores F. had to wait until he was granted permanent residency last year before he was able to take advantage of the free TAFE program.

His study has already enabled him to secure a position as an after-school care educator.

He hoped to use the program as a pathway to become a kindergarten or primary school teacher and will continue onto university to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education after he achieves his diploma with The Gordon next year.

The Gordon chief executive Joe Ormeno said the fee-free TAFE’s “transformative impact” on early childhood education had been “undeniable”.

“By removing financial barriers, we’ve opened doors for 52 passionate individuals in Geelong and Werribee this year alone.

“We’re building a robust and diverse workforce, ready to shape our future generations.

“This initiative is more than just an educational opportunity. It’s a commitment to our community’s growth and to nurturing young minds at their most critical learning stage.”

Other students, such as Sam Mullan, are no longer eligible for the fee-free TAFE program but have been able to take advantage of other government subsidies.

The 19-year-old initially put her fee-free TAFE allotment toward a course in allied health.

“Four months into that my dad died and that just put a stop on all of that for a while,” she said.

With government subsidies, her TAFE fees have been cut down by about 50 per cent.

“Kids are my passion,” Ms Mullan said.

“I can’t wait until I’ve got my certificate, and I can help them grow and learn like people helped me grow and learn.

“The people who I grew up with, I look back now, and I know exactly how they helped shape who I am today.

“All of these people have helped me be the person I am today, and I want to help someone be the person that they are.”