The Andrews Labor Government is providing more early childhood jobs in a new program to support this vital sector and provide new career opportunities for Victorians facing barriers to employment.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt today announced 150 jobs will be created as part of the Jobs Victoria Early Childhood Educator Jobs initiative.

The $2 million Labor Government program, delivered in partnership with Chisholm TAFE, will enable more Victorian children to thrive, improve work-life balance for families and create more secure jobs in the early childcare sector.

The focus will be on supporting people who have experienced challenges securing employment during the pandemic, including women aged over 45, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians, and young people.

Participants will receive on-the-job training, working at early childhood centres and receiving an income while studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. The program also provides additional mentoring and supervision on the job.

The initiative is supported by the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund which is creating 10,000 steady and secure jobs for those most impacted by the pandemic.

The Government is also releasing its updated Kindergarten Workforce Strategy as part of the $5 billion plan to provide three-year-old children with access to an additional year of funded kindergarten programs.

The reform is expected to create around 6,000 new early childhood jobs including approximately 4,000 bachelor qualified teachers and 2,000 VET-qualified educators.

Find out how Jobs Victoria can help employers or people looking for work at jobs.vic.gov.au or call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.