Children's Services Skilling Plan 2006-09
The Children’s Services Skilling Plan 2006–09 is a joint initiative of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Department of Communities to respond to the changing workforce skilling needs of the children’s services industry.
The aim of the plan was to determine the best way to continue government support for workers and services to meet the qualification requirements of the Child Care Act 2002 after the completion of the Child Care Training Plan 2004–06.
The plan is designed to contribute significantly to improving the skill levels and capacity of the children’s services industry of Queensland.
The sevenstrategies implemented under the Children’s Services Skilling Plan 2006-09, include:
- Key Account Management Agency
- Generic Statewide Strategy
- Targeted High Needs Areas Strategy
- Indigenous Remote Area Strategy for Cape/Gulf and Torres Strait
- Teacher Recognition Strategy
- Skills Formation Strategy- Child Care Project
- Family Support Services Career Pathways.
Key Account Management Agency
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE is the key account management agency for the plan. It is their role to organise, facilitate, coordinate and administer the implementation of the statewide TAFE training delivery elements of the plan.
Generic Statewide Strategy
Generic Statewide Strategy acknowledges the need for existing workers in the children’s services industry in Queensland to hold qualifications in order for their services to meet licensing requirements under the Child Care Act 2002.
Targeted High Needs Areas Strategy
This strategy provides support to high needs areas, particularly in rural and remote locations where staffing issues may be critical. Remote support teachers are available, under this strategy, to provide direct support to workers and services to enhance the skills and service capacity of these communities.
Indigenous Remote Area Strategy for Cape/Gulf and Torres Strait
This strategy focusses on the culturally appropriate training needs of existing workers in the North and Far North Queensland regions for Indigenous remote area communities, specifically in the Cape/Gulf Peninsula and in Torres Strait Islands.
Teacher Recognition Strategy
The Teacher Recognition Strategy implements a bridging program developed to assist Queensland registered primary trained teachers [who wish to work in child care services] gain early childhood qualifications as required in the Child Care Act 2002.
Skills Formation Strategy (Child Care Project)
This strategy provides a process for the children’s services industry stakeholders to work together to analyse and address the reason for skills shortages.
Family Support Services Career Pathways
This strategy aims to promote career pathways between the children’s services and family support sectors. Students and graduates with children’s services qualifications can complete relevant electives that will equip them to work in family support services.
For further Information
Fact sheets have been developed to assist child care professionals identify if they are eligible to access the plan. These fact sheets provide an overview of the plan and information for child care workers.
Read student success stories in TAFE Queensland’s Children’s Services Skilling Plan Highlights brochure.
Information about how to access the training and what is offered by TAFE Queensland can be obtained by contacting your local TAFE Institute Child Care Studies Team or TAFE on 1800 441 141 (free call outside Brisbane) to determine eligibility and enrolment procedures.
More information can be found at www.tafe.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 11 August 2008.