Gunnedah’s Zoe Devine is making a positive impression on all the children at Li’l Achievers Early Learning Centre, using the skills she learnt at TAFE NSW to kick-start her dream career.

After spending two weeks impressing staff during her TAFE NSW work placement training at Li’l Achievers in late 2018, Zoe was offered, and accepted, a full-time position as a childcare educator in January this year.

“Zoe was amazing when she participated in work placement and we knew we wanted her working here,” Li’l Achievers School Readiness Class Room Leader Jade Bartlett said.

“We are very lucky to have her in the School Readiness class – she’s excellent with the children who have special needs and all the children just absolutely love her.

“I know thanks to TAFE NSW she has all the skills required to successfully run the room if I’m not here.”

A humble Zoe said working in early childhood education and care was a dream come true.

“I enjoy being able to watch the children progress – witnessing them grow, develop and learn, and forming bonds with the children and their parents is very rewarding,” she said.

“Studying at TAFE NSW was really enjoyable – the help, care and support from my teachers was the backbone of me being successful and setting me on this exciting career path.

“I would encourage anyone considering early childhood education and care as a career to go to TAFE – it helped change my life.”

TAFE NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Teacher, Penny Bryen, is not surprised by Zoe’s early career success, describing her as a ‘wonderful, compassionate educator with outstanding leadership qualities’.

“Zoe is bright and caring and very suited to this industry,” Ms Bryen said. “She shows a passion for helping children, especially those with special needs.

“Throughout her study Zoe’s strengths were her perseverance and willingness to commit and learn. She always showed professionalism in the classroom and her workplace and I have no doubt she will have a successful career in early childhood education and care.

“Zoe is proof that studying at TAFE NSW through a mix of face-to-face and online learning can result in exciting, real-life employment opportunities because industry trusts our training.

“With the Australian Government’s Job Outlook website predicting more than 36,000 new job openings in early childhood education and care across the country to 2022, now is the perfect time for anyone considering a career in this industry to come and learn from industry experts at TAFE.”

For more information on how you can get a head-start in an exciting early childhood education and care career, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.