Four young Bega Valley residents have secured a children's services traineeship with the Bega Valley Shire Council over the last few months.
Council's CEO Anthony McMahon said he was particularly pleased to be able to offer the two-year traineeships to Korie Dee, Ella Buckle, Ella McDonald and Erin Allamby-Flint.
"The traineeships provide the opportunity to address our own skilled labour shortage, and these young people will gain a Certificate 3 level qualification in Early Childhood Education.
"Early childhood education and care is a vital input to the economy of the Bega Valley.
"Council provides two centre-based early childhood early education services including Bandara in Bega and Eden Early Learning Centre, as well as the Sapphire Mobile Preschool which operates in Bemboka and Candelo.
"They are attended by a diverse range of children including those from a range of family structures, socio-economic levels and backgrounds."
Ella Buckle's traineeship is with Bandara Children's Services in Bega and although she has only been a full-time trainee since January, she has worked as a school-based trainee at Bandara for almost a year.
Ella said she has always had an interest in early childhood education because she has helped her mum care for her five younger siblings and she's done a lot of babysitting for neighbours.
"I really like looking after the babies. They get excited to see me when I walk into the room and that's a great feeling," Ella said.
"I look after 12 babies each day who are between 11 months and two and a half years old. It's great to know I am helping them develop and grow."
Looking to the future, after completing her Certificate and a Diploma, Ella hopes to do a Batchelor in Early Education and Care so she can work with children with additional needs.
Erin Allamby-Flint and Ella McDonald work at the Eden Early Learning Centre and both are 17 years old.
Erin has a Certificate II in agriculture and never thought she'd work in childcare. However, she enjoyed her work experience at the Eden centre so much she applied for the traineeship.
"I work with four to five-year-olds. We focus on early literacy preparation, phonics and recognising words, all of which are important for a more focused learning environment for primary school," Erin said.
"The relationship you build with the families and children is really important. It creates a positive, nurturing and creative environment that the children and their families really enjoy and appreciate.
"It's a rewarding job and you feel a sense of belonging, but it is also very hard and exhausting on the busier days."
Ella likes to be busy, and she is that and more at the Eden Early Learning Centre.
"It's interesting getting to know the children, seeing their potential and watching them progress from week to week," Ella said.
"I look after children aged two and a half to four years old. We have quiet time after lunch and some children will sleep and others will participate in quiet play such as drawing, reading and working with playdough.
"I like working in Eden and getting to see the children outside of the centre at footy training or at the shops. This supports my relationships with the children and their families."
Korie Gee is a trainee with the Sapphire Mobile Preschool which involves her working in Candelo on Monday to Thursday and in Bemboka on Fridays.
"Our program is open to three to five-year-olds and operates during each school term.
"I've always been happy to help out with the younger children around me and I've been a nanny for a family with three children, which I enjoyed," Korie said.
"I'm enjoying the work and have found it easy to settle into. My colleagues are very supportive and the kids are great fun.
"We'll build sandcastles in the sand pit, do some drawing, read books and dress up to act out a story. I particularly love it when the children are proud of their work."
Korie sees her traineeship as a start in the right direction for a long-term career. She'd ideally like to work in home daycare.
Mr McMahon said access to affordable, high quality early childhood education is critical to supporting workforce participation, attracting new families and workers to the shire, contributing to local economic development and achieving the community's main priorities and aspirations.
"Whether these trainees continue employment with Council or move into the private sector, they will still provide significant benefit for the community, and the traineeship will give them all a great start in a sector that will continue to be in high demand over the coming years.
"We wish Korie, Erin, Ella and Ella the best and thank them for taking the opportunity to stay in the Bega Valley and work locally."
