A future Labor Government would invest in early childhood education, ensuring that those who enter the sector are highly trained and provided with future career opportunities.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the early childhood sector has a serious shortage of skilled educators, with many choosing to pursue other areas of employment due to low wages, not enough professional development and a lack of career progression.
"With a shortage of skilled educators, it is not surprising there were 394 serious incidents across Tasmania's Early Education and Care Centres last year, with 65 requiring an ambulance and another 50 kids who were either locked out or went missing," she said.
"Only 86.4 per cent of Tasmanian state approved facilities met or exceeded national quality standards compared to 91 per cent nationally.
"As well as having a regulatory responsibility, the State Government has a workforce development role and it needs to lift its game.
"The Liberal Government has sat idle knowing that the sector is under immense pressure to help our children thrive.
"A future Labor Government would invest in early childhood education, ensuring that those who entered the sector are highly trained and provided with future career opportunities.
"Without access to quality early childhood education and care, many parents are unable to work and this has a flow-on effect through communities and the economy.
"The Federal Labor Government knows this, which is why they are investing in cheaper childcare and fee free TAFE courses.
"As a parent I want to see young Tasmanians get the best possible start in life, and that starts with early childhood education."
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years Josh Willie said there was nothing more important than a child's education to set them up for a good life.
"As a former teacher, I know career education in our schools is letting industry and young people down. We need to better connect young people with meaningful experiences of the workplace in school, which helps them understand the pathway to a job they want and makes learning more purposeful," he said.
"When the Liberals came to power in 2014, they cut career education resources in our schools and it had a direct impact on businesses like Rainbow Child Care and Early Learning Centre.
"Tasmania deserves a government that understands career education and makes investments in early childhood education.
"Tasmania's youth unemployment rate is at a staggering 10.5 per cent. It makes no sense that so many young people are unemployed when industries and sectors are crying out for workers. It is a clear example of the education system not being connected to the labour market in the way that it should be.
"A future Labor Government is committed to making sure the education system is better connected to labour market demands and ensuring early childhood educators are highly trained and valued.
"We know how important early childhood development is for education outcomes and Tasmania has some of the poorest literacy rates in the nation.
"As well as supporting early education workforce development, Labor is serious about addressing the state's woeful literacy rates to help set children up for a good life.
"Nothing is more important than a child's education, and it's beyond time that the State Government starts making this a priority."
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years
