How do you know if a career caring for and teaching young children is right for you? Often, the only way to find out is by being given the chance to try. So, when the Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) contacted Shine Bright about a possible traineeship initiative, the response was a resounding “yes.”
BDAC plays many roles in supporting the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. One of these is helping create employment and training pathways, with Elders guiding and supporting young people as they step into their future.
A Victorian-first partnership has been formed between Shine Bright and BDAC that supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples participating in an Early Childhood Educator Traineeship.
The program begins with trainees spending a term at djimbaya kindergarten which offers sessional 3-and 4-year-old kindergarten for local children. Djimbaya’s program is grounded in First Nations principles and methodologies, providing trainees with a culturally rich foundation for their learning.
The trainees will then transition into a Shine Bright kindergarten service where they will continue their learning journey with support and mentorship through BDAC and the Shine Bright Trainee Coordinator, Kate McDonald.
Pictured: Ann Archer, Shine Bright People & Culture Manager with colleague, Kate McDonald, Trainee Coordinator.
Trainee applicants do not need any prior experience in early years’ education, just a genuine interest in working with young children. Once placed in a Shine Bright service, trainees will receive support in completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care through Bendigo Tafe.
People & Culture manager at Shine Bright, Ann Archer, said that the traineeship sits well with Shine Bright’s intentional foregrounding of First Nations perspectives as well as strengthening the early years workforce.
“We are so pleased to be part of this trainee initiative with BDAC. As part of the process, the Shine Bright kindergarten staff where the trainees will work will be undertaking cultural training through BDAC, so everyone benefits from the partnership.
“We are currently in the process of interviewing for two trainee positions and there has been a lot of interest in this initiative, which is exciting,” Ann said.
“Alongside BDAC, our aim is to empower trainees in early education pathways as well as supporting our staff in further embedding culturally safe practices into their daily work.
“This is a great opportunity for young people to put a toe in the water and find out whether a career in early childhood education is for them. We aim to have two new BDAC trainees each year and to nurture their interest in all facets of working in early childhood education.
“With a network of 41 Shine Bright services across central and northern Victoria, there are many roles and locations that could be perfect for our BDAC trainees, and our services will benefit from diversity within their teams.
“This partnership has been in the pipeline for a while and we are excited to be interviewing Trainees and to be part of an initiative that so closely aligns with what we already value,” Ann said.