In the Loop Winter 2016

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SUBSIDISED SKILL SETS
HELP FILL SKILL GAPS
As part of the Queensland Government’s 2016-2019 Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce
Action Plan (WAP) three new early childhood education and care (ECEC) subsidised skills sets in guiding
children with complex behaviours, inclusive practices and team leadership are now available:
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Building inclusive practices in early childhood
education and care (CHCSS00072)
Supporting children and families with
complex needs (CHCSS00090)
Team leader skills set (CHCSS00091).
These skill sets address gaps identified by the sector through
the review of the 2011-2014 ECEC WAP. Each attracts
government subsidises through the Higher Level Skills (HLS)
training program.
To maximise the number of educators benefiting from these
subsidies, the HLS program eligibility criteria has been
broadened so that educators, who may already hold a
higher level qualification or have accessed the HLS program
previously, are now eligible.
Further to the skill sets outlined in the 2016-2019 ECEC WAP,
eligible individuals who work with children, youth or families
can now also access the Child Protection (CHCSS00074) skill
set at a government subsidised rate.
SKILL SETS ARE A VALUABLE TRAINING OPTION
ECEC employers across Australia understand the benefits of
nationally recognised qualifications. Like qualifications, skill
sets are nationally recognised and are designed to support
quality service provision.
Skill sets are a combination of units of training (called ‘units of
competency’) in the vocational education and training (VET)
system that provide a specialised focus of learning. Skill sets
can be used to top-up skills already gained in a qualification.
Qualifications and skill sets in the VET system have been
designed and endorsed by industry through a national process
to ensure they provide training recipients with the critical skills
and knowledge required to operate effectively in a workplace.
WHY THESE SKILL SETS WERE DEVELOPED
During the review of the Queensland Government’s 2011-
2014 ECEC WAP, the sector expressed a critical need for
additional skills development in supporting educators working
with children with complex behaviours.
“More professional development and resources
are required to adequately train staff in the skills,
knowledge and understanding of working with
high-needs families with trauma, disabilities and
emotional and behavioural difficulties.”
SURVEY RESPONDENT
“There should be more training for Directors, which
acknowledges the importance of the leadership
and management roles they perform.”
SURVEY RESPONDENT
An opportunity arose through the then Community Services
and Health Industry Skills Council review of the Community
Services and Health Training Package (CHC TP), for the
Queensland Children’s Services Alliance (QCSA) to assist the
Department of Education and Training to verify these findings
and develop ways to respond to the identified skill gaps.
Consisting of an alliance of peak ECEC organisations and
large service providers, QCSA members provided a diverse
group of ECEC industry representatives who substantiated
each unit of competency within the skill sets.
Dr Susan Irvine, Associate Professor, School of Early
Childhood, Queensland University of Technology and QCSA
member comments on her experience in the development of
the ECEC skill sets:
“The role of the ECEC educator is ever evolving. The
importance of ensuring educators have the knowledge and
skills needed to confidently respond to the daily challenges
that working with children and families can bring, cannot
be underestimated. I believe these nationally recognised
skill sets offer a valuable opportunity for educators to
build their confidence and capacity to provide quality and
inclusive educational programs. Each unit of competency
was examined by QCSA members and chosen specifically
for this purpose. Another advantage for educators is that
once approved a government subsidy is available to reduce
the cost for them to study.”
For a list of registered training organisations
funded to deliver the skill sets, please visit
www.skillsgateway.training.qld.gov.au.
To find out more about the 2016-2019 ECEC
Workforce Action Plan and associated initiatives
visit www.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/WAP.
A full list of QCSA members is available at
www.qcsa.net.au/about-us.
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IN THE LOOP