Charley had been working in the early childhood education and care sector for several years, starting her career as a Certificate III Educator and progressively working her way up to a Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Applying for an Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program assisted Charley to complete her Bachelors degree and forward her career.
Charley said, “As a Gunditjmara/Wemba Wemba woman, I believe that it is important that First Nations people can see each other in learning spaces and learn from each other.
“The Aboriginal incentive pathway scholarship helped me achieve success in completing my studies and becoming a teacher, through enabling me to undertake hundreds of hours of unpaid placements and buy resources relevant to my studies. Now I am fulfilling my goal of being an Early Childhood Teacher and supporting children to have the best start to their education.”
In Victoria, BUSY At Work has been administering the Early Childhood Education Scholarships & Incentives Program, including the Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program, since July 2020.
Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships are available for eligible Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to become an early childhood teacher or educator, including those looking to upskill and those already studying.
Scholarships are available under this program up to the value of:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: $2,500
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: $9,000
- Bachelor degrees: $34,000
- Graduate diplomas: $16,000
- Masters degrees: $24,000
Funding is provided on behalf of the Department of Education. The Early Childhood Scholarships Program supports individuals, including First Nation’s people, to progress their careers in the sector. Find out more about the Early Childhood Scholarships & Incentives Program.
Charley completed her Bachelor of Early Education, with financial support through the Victorian government’s, Early Childhood Aboriginal Pathways Scholarships Program.
