Baw Baw Shire Council hosted the inaugural Early Childhood Careers Expo recently at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
The expo was presented by council to showcase the many rewarding career paths in the early years industry, and to give local students and adults a chance to find out more about what a job in this sector could look like. The event hosted more than 20 local businesses and organisations in the sector who provided information to those in attendance about the various pathways in the industry.
Speakers on the day included representatives from the council's maternal child health and family day care units, as well as speakers from Chisholm Institute and Federation University.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Annemarie McCabe said she hoped the expo could inspire community members to take a look at the industry.
"There's a shortage across the early years sector that council is trying to address and we're calling for more people to consider careers in this area.
"A career in the early years could be so incredibly rewarding as you get a unique chance to shape and inspire little one's creative minds," she said.
Family day care educator Martha Smith said she loved the opportunities that came with being a FDC educator.
"Family day care has been the most amazing opportunity for me, as an educator and now as a mum. I have the flexibility to run my business how I want it to be run, with the guidance of a supportive coordination unit," she said.
A pop-up playgroup was held during the day which ensured the children were entertained while parents and carers learned more about the industry.