Blog

Studying after a break, long or short, may seem like a big task to undertake however, it doesn’t have to be difficult with a few tips and good support. There are many reasons why a period of time may have passed since you last studied. Maybe your post-high school gap year turned into a few […]

An early childhood education career can set you up for a bright future enhancing the education and development of children. There are many roles available for meaningful and fun employment in the sector that can suit a range of different people. Providing care for children during the most vital time of development in the first […]

Finishing Year 12 and leaving high school behind you is a big deal. After all, you’ve spent most of your life at school up until this point. If you have just finished Year 12, chances are you’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what comes next for you. In particular, you might be wondering […]

Certificates and Diplomas are delivered by a number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions. When it comes to study choices, you have probably come across TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) during your research. TAFE and RTOs are providers of Vocational Education and Training across Australia, and offer qualifications across […]

Aged care isn’t one size fits all. Many approaches to aged care are available, with the care style dependent on the recipients’ unique needs, preferences and abilities. While once upon a time, growing old and requiring assistance meant the only option was to move into a residential care facility, there are now a range of […]

For many, summer is for enjoying more time outdoors and relaxing in the sunshine. It’s also important to remember to stay safe and SunSmart, especially for older individuals who may be more vulnerable to the heat. Warm weather and particularly extreme heat can put the health of individuals at risk, and this risk is often […]

The JobTrainer government funding initiative has been extended until 31 December, with the Australian Government committing $500 million. In 2020, the COVID-19 economic response from the government first introduced us to JobKeeper and JobSeeker, then JobMaker, and finally Jobtrainer. With such a successful response to Jobtrainer, the extension of the initiative will support about 463 […]

A traineeship is a great approach for those looking to start or advance a career while continuing to work — and earn — in their desired sector. For those with management roles within organisations, using the traineeship model could be a successful way to boost the capacity of your workforce. With the Australian Government committing […]

A fireside chat with Dr Kristy Goodwin. We sat down with Dr Kristy Goodwin to unpack some of the challenges of raising children in a digital age. Kristy has undertaken extensive research in this space and has been honing her expertise for the past decade, plus she’s also a mum of three boys. “She makes relevant, realistic, research-based information available […]

In aged care, each day is spent contributing to the quality of the lives of ageing individuals and/or those living with disability. This may also include sharing in the holiday period with residents and helping them to get into the spirit of the season. With the festive season right around the corner, it’s time to […]

The holiday season is a festive time of togetherness, celebration and enjoying the sunshine. Many will be excited about their upcoming Christmas traditions, along with a variety of other celebrations and events depending on culture, preferences or religious beliefs. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital for children’s development and wellbeing in early childhood, and […]

During this tough year, early childhood education services and educators have worked hard to keep children learning through play even when many centres were not accessible. Being ready to commence primary school is a key focus for kindergarten programs, and newly announced funding is set to provide additional help to ensure that children are school-ready. […]

For aged care providers, a focus towards training and improved levels of  support will see the aged care workforce better equipped and ready to provide this essential care to those who need it most. This year with the COVID-19 pandemic, has presented the world with many unprecedented challenges. The most vulnerable to suffer as a […]

After a tough and tumultuous year throughout most of 2020, it has been exciting and a great relief for early childhood services to reopen. Owners, directors, educators, families and children have shared in the experience and are thrilled to be back to their ideal routines. To open safely and protect the health of our communities […]

When we talk about intelligence, the mind often goes immediately to a person’s ability to get high marks at school, solve complex mathematics problems or utilise a big vocabulary. However, a range of theories exist on the subject of intelligence and it is generally agreed that there are many types, covering a variety of qualities […]

If you’re a jobseeker, getting back to work is no doubt among your top priorities at the moment. Similarly, if you’re feeling that you may be at risk of losing your job, you are likely keen to upskill to enhance your employability or ready to explore other options. The Queensland Government has plans in place […]

Good nutrition in early childhood can contribute to growth and development as well as behaviour and wellbeing in children. Alongside physical activity, positive educational experiences and supportive relationships, eating well is vital in children’s early years and beyond.   According to research, only 5% of Australian children are meeting the recommended guidelines of five serves […]

Thinking about taking on a trainee or expanding your team? You could be eligible for these new wage subsidies designed to boost the economy in the wake of the pandemic-driven economic crunch. Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements The $1.2 billion apprenticeship and traineeship boost was announced as part of the Federal Government’s budget package to build a […]

World Mental Health Day took place on October 10, marking the beginning of Mental Health Month in Victoria. The aim is to raise awareness of the mental health issues affecting people all over Australia and the world . This year has had a prominent focus on mental health and wellbeing, and for good reason, with […]

COVID-19 presents particular risks to older people, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases.¹  In May 2020, the United Nations reported on the ‘devastating toll’ that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes was having on older people’s lives.² The public health crisis of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected aged care in Australia. It’s a tragedy […]

Children, parents, educators and centre owners are undoubtedly all pleased with the recent easing of restrictions in Melbourne, allowing early childhood education services to reopen for all families. While centres return to providing children with high quality education and care, there is no doubt that the return to early learning will involve some changes and […]

When searching for the right career, there are a number of factors to consider. You might look into how much you can earn, whether workers are in demand in the sector and what the workplace environment is like. For millennials — people who were born between 1981 and 1996 — an important detail is the […]

When it comes to training, not only are technical skills important, but so too are soft skills which can also be learned through training that focuses on self-reflection. Soft skills are defined as personal attributes or qualities that impact the way we interact with others and approach various situations. Soft skills are relevant across a […]

Employment within the aged care sector can offer a career that is both rewarding and meaningful, and enriches the lives of individuals receiving care. Aged care plays an integral part in society and involves providing elderly individuals access to high quality care and support they require to maintain their quality of life. A sector with […]

Up-to-date skills and knowledge are vital for a thriving career. Along with on-the-job experience, networking and a commitment to your sector, upskilling can help take your career to the next level. Knowing when is the right time to seek out upskill opportunities can be tricky, but often it comes down to personal objectives and individual […]

The current pandemic has highlighted a significant gap in how prepared aged care facilities are to protect their residents and staff from highly-infectious diseases like COVID-19. A government-commissioned infection control expert group has concluded that all aged care staff should be trained in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, not only when they start working […]

“From the minute I started the course, I just thought to myself – this is what I should have been doing,” Selmar Aged Care Trainer and Assessor, Michelle Gleeson has had a passion for caring for the elderly for most of her life, but it wasn’t until she entered her 40s that she found the […]

With unemployment rates reaching record highs throughout this year’s pandemic and many people feeling their job security is now uncertain, changing careers has been front of mind for many. For some, the evolving landscape of 2020 may feel like it has presented the opportunity to explore other career options, particularly in sectors that have proven […]

As an early childhood educator, we work in a diverse industry and collaborate with people from different cultures daily. These people come in the form of co-workers, children, families and local groups that create our community. To assist children in developing their cultural competency, we as adults require a better understanding of how to acknowledge […]

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Victoria has brought about many changes including closures, reopenings and updated COVIDSafe protocols for early learning services. As centres across Metropolitan Melbourne adjust to the easing of restrictions in recent weeks, it’s important to incorporate a focus on supporting staff and their mental health and wellbeing as […]