For matured-aged students it is often a new environment or one they have not experienced for many years. For young students, it differs greatly from the structured school system.
Now, imagine trying to juggle this study with a young family, other caring roles, long distance travel or in an unfamiliar language or online learning system.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development and Federation University are addressing these barriers through a pilot project providing extra supports to students studying Early Childcare Education & Care and Disability Support in the region.
And it not only helps students but will allow dozens of parents to rejoin the workforce.
Federation University researcher Dr Cathy Tischler said early childhood education and care (ECEC) provided strong skills and a solid career path, with opportunities to work in the Wimmera, Victoria and the world.
Dr Tischler said the WSM had struggled to provide local ECEC training and in both recruiting and retaining qualified staff in the region.
Funded by the Workforce Training Innovation Fund, the pilot project highlights the value of local, practical, and supported regional training.
“While Early childhood is a great career it’s not always easy to access training, particularly if you live out of town, or have other people to care for or need support.
“This pilot asked people what made it hard to study and worked on bridging those gaps so people could start, stay and move through to the workforce.”
She said the key difference was human support.
“A concierge-style approach helped with the things that trip people up. Admin; placements; uniforms; fuel costs and digital access. We provided hands-on help to keep people in the course.
“Delivery mattered too. We found hybrid and connected classrooms worked best when there was an in-person presence.
“Supporting people through to placement is also critical. Placement availability is tight because providers are stretched but we found ways to support both students and workplaces to ensure this important training aspect could be completed.”
WSM Development CEO Chris Sounness said the benefits of successful ECEC training stretched well beyond the individual students.
“Each person who trains in ECEC and moves to work supports at least five people into the workforce – the trainee, plus four, and sometimes even more, parents whose young children can now be cared for by a skilled professional,” he said.
“This is a great economic investment for regional employment, delivers results quickly and proves that grow your own workforce is not a slogan in Western Victoria. It works. “
Mr Sounness said the locally-driven, people-oriented pilot was an excellent example of collaboration which could be replicated in other region.
“When regional partners pull in the same direction, interest turns into enrolments, and enrolments turn into jobs.”