Educate, Inspire, Excel (EIE) is YWCA Canberra’s innovative new program to train people to work in Canberra’s early childhood education and care sector. The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated just how vital this industry is to our community and our economy. EIE gives people the opportunity to study and work in early childhood education and care in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Over two years, our team will support participants to secure a job in children’s services and complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care. We’ll give participants work readiness and on-the-job training, and provide any social, health, housing or wellbeing support they might need. When participants graduate they will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to take their career to the next level. EIE is funded through the Future Skills for Future Jobs Grants Program, an ACT Government initiative.
To become part of the EIE program, you must be eligible to undergo a traineeship:
• work in the ACT
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, a New Zealand passport holder resident for more than 6 months, or on an eligible visa.
You will need to complete a minimum of 15 hours combined work and training per week. Priority will be given to mature age woman over 45 and young people (age 16 to 24). You can check your eligibility through our survey.
Firstly, check that you are able to be employed in an early childhood service. Our team can help you and will ask you to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test to make sure you have the required skills to complete the qualification.
If you have a children’s service to employ you, talk to them about undergoing EIE. If not, our team can help match you up with a service. You must be employed before we can begin the traineeship.
Next, you will need to fill out enrolment documents and provide evidence of your eligibility.
Our team will then work with the Apprenticeship Support Network to organise a sign-up session between you and your employer.
Once the documents are signed and lodged with ACT Government, we will receive notification when you’re approved.
Overall, this will take about a month. However, we can start helping set you up for training in that time.
To start your new career journey with EIE and YWCA Canberra, email eie@ywca-canberra.org.au or call 02 6185 2000 today. Our dedicated staff will help you through the process and discuss what additional support you will need to excel in your new career.
Can you provide employ EIE participants to help mature age woman or young person into a new career?
Email eie@ywca-canberra.org.au or call 02 6185 2000 today to talk to our dedicated staff about how we can help you help your community.
Do you know young people or mature age women who would benefit from EIE? Refer them today! Email eie@ywca-canberra.org.au or call 02 6185 2000 today to talk to our dedicated staff.
Upon commencement, participants will have the option of undertaking work readiness training to ensure they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin successful employment in the children’s services sector.
Where needed, we will link participants with workplaces so they can begin their traineeships.
Participants will also be provided with additional support strategies as required, including:
Classes will be delivered in small groups of 12 or fewer to ensure participants have ample face-to-face time with our trainers, and are able to build personal relationships with the group to facilitate positive learning outcomes.
We will have a dedicated Vocational Support Officer and a Community Development Officer for EIE. These two positions will ensure that together we can:
Upon commencement, participants will have the option of undertaking work readiness training to ensure they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin successful employment in the children’s services sector.
Participants will also be provided with additional support strategies as required, including:
Where needed, we will link participants with workplaces so they can begin their traineeships.
Classes will be delivered in small groups of 12 or fewer to ensure participants have ample face-to-face time with our trainers and are able to build personal relationships with the group to facilitate positive learning outcomes.
Where possible, participants will work in one of YWCA Canberra’s six early childhood education and care services and/or 15 school age care programs. If this is not possible, our team will engage our partner organisations and other ACT providers of children’s services to help secure employment for participants. These partner organisations include, but are not limited to:
We will also leverage our collaborative relationship with the Children First Alliance, comprising a group of not-for-profit providers of children’s services, to seek employment opportunities for participants.
No. This is a continuous intake and you will learn on the job.
The work readiness training will include:
Email eie@ywca-canberra.org.au or call us on 02 6185 2000.
If you have a staff member looking to undertake a traineeship in childhood education and care, contact us on eie@ywca-canberra.org.au or call us on 02 6185 2000.
Firstly, check that you are able to be employed in an early childhood service. Our team can help you and will ask you to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test to make sure you have the required skills to complete the qualification
Next, you will need to fill out enrolment documents and provide evidence of your eligibility.
Our team will then work with the Apprenticeship Support Network to organise a sign-up session between you the potential employer.
Once the documents are signed and lodged with ACT Government, we will receive notification when you’re approved.
Overall, this will take about a month. However, we can start helping set you up for training in that time.
To become part of the EIE program, you must be eligible to undergo a trainee:
You will need to complete a minimum of 15 hours combined work and training per week. You can check your eligibility through our survey.