12 April 2024

Ukrainian refugee rebuilds education career through TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW has helped Ukrainian refugee Hanna Babycheva gain the practical skills she needed to rebuild her teaching career in Australia.

Hanna fled the war in Ukraine in 2022, leaving behind her career, community, and life as she knew it. She arrived in Australia with no English language skills and her educational qualifications were no longer recognised.

Four months after arriving in Australia, Ms Babycheva enrolled to study Certificate III in Spoken and Written English through TAFE NSW Loftus to equip her with English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to help her achieve her goals of continuing her career in education. Last year, she went on to complete Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and was recently offered a position at Kinder Haven in Jannali.

“Living, studying and working here makes me feel safe, happy, and secure,” Ms Babycheva said. “The Early Childhood Education teachers and Education Support staff at TAFE NSW were so helpful in supporting me and building my confidence.”

According to the Department of Home Affairs, Hanna is one of 11,400 Ukrainians who have arrived in Australia since 24 February 2022. The Bayside and Sutherland Shire LGAs make up the top settlement locations for Ukrainian nationals.

“With 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher in Ukraine, I’m thankful I can rebuild my career and work at a beautiful early education centre,” Ms Babycheva said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my study at TAFE NSW in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care this year.”

Teacher of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Loftus and Petersham, John Stewart, said there is a growing demand for educators in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector (ECEC) and an abundance of job opportunities.

“Working in ECEC is a rewarding and meaningful career as educators play a crucial role in fostering children’s development, learning, and well-being during their formative years,” Mr Stewart said.

“Migrant and refugee students benefit from a range of study support services at TAFE NSW including language and learning support services, counselling and wellbeing services, financial assistance, and flexible learning options. These provisions support migrants and refugee in their studies and ready them for the workplace.

“Working in ECEC is a rewarding and meaningful career as educators play a crucial role in fostering children’s development, learning, and well-being during their formative years.”

For more information on TAFE NSW Early Childhood Education and Care courses please visit www.tafensw.edu.au

Media contact: Mel O’Connell, Communications Specialist, 0409 930 777