Bourke and District Children’s Services (BDCS) recently celebrated the graduation of nine staff.

Two staff members successfully completed their Diploma and seven members completing their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, seven of whom proudly identify as First Nations.

The graduation marks a major milestone for the service with the Early Childhood sector demonstrating a strong growth across the region, and a high demand for staff.

BDCS strongly supports the creation of local employment pathways with opportunities such as the face-to-face training delivered by ECTARC in Bourke. Face-to-face training has enabled community members to gain industry-recognised qualifications within their local area.

This highly effective delivery model is a core feature of the BDCS Indigenous Employment Strategy (IES) which supports both current BDCS staff and early childhood educators from surrounding communities.

The IES has developed to address the need to recruit and train First Nations staff in local early learning services and focuses on building a culturally safe workplace through the employment of Indigenous mentors and cultural safety training for non-Indigenous staff.

General Manager Prue Ritchie said “the program is vital to strengthening the local Early Childhood sector, ensuring families have access to high-quality and culturally safe services.

“The initiative is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency through the Indigenous Skills Program.

“BDCS congratulates the graduates on their achievements and thanks trainers, staff and community partners for their ongoing support,” she concluded.