Dubbo childhood educators and teachers are eligible to receive up to $25,000 of financial support through the Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program.

Successful applicants would receive the boost to begin or complete an early childhood education and care (ECEC) bachelor’s degree at TAFE or university.

A $5000 annual incentive over four years may also be granted for them to continue working at a community preschool, or day care once they have finished their degree.

Education and Skills Reform deputy secretary, Lia Alonso Love, said the scholarship is to attract more people to the industry to ensure children have a brighter future.

“Our vision is to have a highly qualified and sustainable workforce, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood educators as a priority, across the state,” Ms Alonso Love said.

“Everyone deserves access to high quality education and this scholarship program ensures people, no matter where they live, can access early childhood education qualifications, with one third of all successful scholars in the last round from regional and remotes areas across the state,” Ms Alonso Love said.