New aid for career hopefuls to boost Scottish Government's early learning and nursery expansion launched
Starting a career in Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) just got easier with the launch of a new online facility.
The ELC Academy website was launched in Aberdeen (Tuesday 6th) as a major milestone in the collaboration between Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Councils. The website is a one-stop-shop to support and develop the workforce currently working in or looking to begin a career in ELC in the North East of Scotland.
With up-to-date information on training, job vacancies and careers advice in the three local authority areas this is the first of its kind to launch ahead of the Scottish Government's ELC expansion programme.
As part of the government’s drive to close the attainment gap and improve access to affordable childcare, the increase to 1,140 hours of ELC a year provides a huge change to delivery of nursery education.
Speaking from the launch, Regional Improvement Lead for the Northern Alliance of councils, Laurence Findlay, said:
“Across the North East of Scotland we want to recruit a significant number of personnel in early learning and childcare.
"While this presents obvious challenges for us it also represents a fantastic opportunity for people looking to get into a career in ELC. Working together with Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City is a great way to channel those opportunities. With good progression prospects and a rewarding day-to-day job this really is a career worth considering if you want to shape the lives of future generations.”
Following the launch, Councillor John Wheeler, Education and Children’s Services Convener for Aberdeen City Council, said:“We are committed to reducing inequalities and enhancing outcomes for children, that is why we are committed to expanding early learning and childcare provision. Working with Moray and Aberdeenshire councils we have developed an approach that will help pool resources, increase our early learning and childcare workforce and enhance the skills of our people. Today’s launch is an important milestone in achieving our ambitions and we look forward to collaborating with our partners on this vital piece or work.”
Councillor Gillian Owen, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Education and Children's Services Committee added:
"We're keen to make sure we continue to deliver high quality learning experiences for young children at the same time as increased flexibility for parents through the childcare expansion. A big part of this is about encouraging more people to follow careers in early learning and we are looking forward to working together across the north-east to make this happen."
The ELC Academy will strengthen and inform local authorities of trends in the workforce and develop strategic markers to direct training and recruitment.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.