The Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP launched a new website to help early childhood education and care (ECEC) educators in training complete their practicums.
The practicum exchange network is a dedicated website where ECEC services and educators in training can search for and arrange practicum exchange opportunities.
Practicums help ECEC educators in training gain practical, workplace experience in an early childhood educational setting. They are usually mandatory and often must be partly completed outside of an educator’s primary service.
Practicum exchanges can foster:
- diverse experience and knowledge
- networking and support opportunities
- skill and knowledge transfer.
They can be challenging for some, particularly students in rural and remote areas with few or no other services nearby.
ECEC services and educators in training can now register to join the practicum exchange network.
Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP said:
“This will help early childhood educators complete prac requirements for early learning qualifications.
“The new practicum exchange network website will enable early learning services and educators to find and organise prac exchanges with other services and educators.
“Prac exchanges help students learn from experienced educators and teachers, gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge in a variety of settings.
“From January 2025, educators who undertake prac in a rural or remote location, away from home, will be able to apply for a living allowance to assist with relocation costs.”
The practicum exchange network was one of 3 measures announced by the Australian Government in the 2023–24 Budget to address ECEC workforce shortages.
Visit the practicum exchange network.