Childcare workers offered shortcut degrees to become preschool and primary teachers

The ‘bespoke’ training for qualified daycare staff will allow them to start teaching in preschools and primary schools within two years, and pocket a 66pc pay rise.

The quick course is being delivered online so students can stay in their jobs, earning as they learn.

Shortcut teaching degrees are being offered to childcare workers so they can start teaching in preschools and primary schools within two years – and pocket a 66 per cent pay rise.

The fast-tracked degrees – which halve the usual time taken to complete a standard four-year degree – are limited to experienced daycare staff who already hold diploma qualifications in early learning.

As a fusion of university and vocational training, the “bespoke’’ education degree offered by the University of Wollongong provides a blueprint for tertiary education reform through the Albanese government’s universities accord.

The initial findings of the accord – a once-in-a-generation review of tertiary education funding, quality and participation – are due to be revealed by federal Education Minister Jason Clare on Wednesday.

Jason Clare and Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace engage with children last month when they visited The Learning Sanctuary, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Clare is likely to focus on ways to make university more affordable and accessible to disadvantaged Australians, including those from poor families or living in remote regions.

The accord panel, headed by scientist Professor Mary O’Kane, will have six more months to finalise its recommendations for broader reform, including better links between university and vocational training.

Jumping the gun, the University of Wollongong last week launched its accelerated teaching degree, named the Bachelor of Education (The Early Years).

The online degree was co-designed with the Early Learning and Care Council (ELCC) of Australia, representing 2011 long daycare centres and 370 kindergarten and preschool centres.

It has enrolled 270 students who have worked in childcare for at least two years, and already have a diploma in early childhood.

The quick course is being delivered online so students can stay in their jobs, earning as they learn.

Students will be given 12 weeks of workplace training across two years, with mentoring from qualified teachers.

Early childhood teachers can work in childcare centres as well as primary schools, although the age limit for the children they teach varies in each state and territory.

ELCC Elizabeth Death said the “groundbreaking’’ program connected government, universities, and childcare providers.

“It considers the realities of working day-to-day in early learning and care, and how the organisations and the university will genuinely support and empower these scholars to achieve and to build their careers,” she said.

The fast-tracked degree will help plug crippling staffing shortages in long day care centres and preschools, which are required to employ at least one degree-qualified teacher.

However, one in every nine childcare centres is operating without the required number of staff.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has granted regulatory waivers for staffing to 11.6 per cent of childcare centres nationally – including 17.2 per cent of centres in Queensland and 15.4 per cent in NSW.

Teaching degrees will deliver big pay rises to childcare workers, who earn $1120 a week if they have a diploma, but up to $1861 if they have a teaching degree, based on award wages.

Childcare certificates and diplomas are among the most popular courses being offered through the $1 billion free-fee TAFE program being funded by federal, state and territory governments.

One third of the free courses are in the “caring sector’’ of aged and disability care, nursing or childcare.

New data shows that free courses in TAFE (Technical and Further Education) have been taken up by 8500 students keen to work in early childhood education.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said the care economy was grappling with one of the worst skills shortages in decades.

“Training more nurses, aged care workers and early childhood educators is a top priority of the government, and these enrolment figures show Australians are taking up the opportunity in droves,’’ he said.

“Fee-free TAFE is opening doors for Australians who might otherwise be able to afford training … as we face cost-of-living pressures.’’