More traineeships are being offered in early childhood education as the Andrews Labor Government invests in giving Victorian kids the best start.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt today visited Samantha’s Child Care Centre and Kindergarten in Camberwell to announce an additional 50 traineeships as part of the Labor Government’s Early Childhood Educator Jobs initiative.

The now $3.9 million Government program, delivered in partnership with Jobs Victoria and Chisholm TAFE, will enable Victorian children to thrive, improve work-life balance for families and create a total of 200 secure jobs in the sector.

Gabrielle Morais, 19, is one of 70 people hired through the state-wide initiative launched in January. After years of babysitting her younger cousins, Ms Morais applied for the program in March and is now studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and realising her dream career.

The program will support people who have experienced challenges securing employment, including women aged over 45, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians, and young people.

Funding will also go towards fast-tracking recruitment, support for early childhood centres to train new staff and attracting potential new workers.

It comes after the Government last week announced an ambitious $9 billion overhaul of early childhood education and care, The Best Start, Best Life Program giving kids the best start to life and supporting more women back into the workforce.

Applications for the new roles are open and employers or people looking for work can register at jobs.vic.gov.au.