Males make up just 3 per cent of the workforce in early education, but there’s hope that things are starting to change. Photos: TAFE NSW.
A record number of male students have been welcomed into TAFE Shellharbour’s early childhood education course, with the latest intake indicating a potential future shift in the balance of the female-dominated field.
27-year-old student Jerome Depalog was a high school science teacher in the Philippines when he discovered his passion for educating younger people while running online classes during pandemic lockdowns.
“I thought it would be high school students signing up but instead there were a lot of young children – four- and five-year-olds,” Jerome said.
“It was so interactive and fun, I decided to move to Australia to study the early childhood degree at TAFE NSW.”
He is one of six male students studying the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Shellharbour, a significant boost from previous years with four of those students being accepted in the latest intake.
The increase in male educators is something TAFE NSW Shellharbour Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care course coordinator Annmarie Moulds said the industry has been “crying out” for.
“You don’t typically see a lot of males in early childhood but to have six in our degree course is a really positive sign for the industry,” she said.
“These will be some of the industry leaders of the future and TAFE NSW is proud to be giving them the skills, knowledge and experience to help change perceptions.”
Jerome Depalog switched from high school teaching to early education and has already secured work in the industry.
The high demand is exemplified by Jerome, now in his third year, having quickly secured paid work and now working at Shellharbour City Children’s Centre.
“The course has been amazing,” Jerome said.
“We get one-on-one tuition from the teachers and it’s great to be able to bounce ideas off the other degree students.
“As a male educator, it’s easy to get a job as centres want a different type of energy that males can bring.”
Males make up just three per cent of childcare workers across the country but with the sector set to get a boost, more opportunities could be available for people looking to move to the industry.
The NSW Government has announced the construction of 100 new preschools across the state and a $20 million program aimed at creating extra childcare places in areas with an undersupply.
The Federal Government has also recently announced a 15 per cent wage increase for childcare workers in a bid to attract more people to the industry.
Early childhood educator of two decades, Tom Greene, said while it was heartening to see more males gaining the practical skills and experience to boost the industry, public attitudes about their place in the sector could deter some men looking to pursue careers in the industry, and needed to be addressed.
“There are certainly unique challenges in this profession for males and there’s a perception among some in the community that it’s questionable if a male wants to work in childcare,” Tom said.
“You have to work that little bit harder and I think understanding the bigger picture around the role is helpful, which is where the degree helps.”
To find out more about TAFE NSW courses or to enrol, visit the TAFE NSW website.
Loading ...
