Published on Wednesday, 6 July 2022 at 10:10:58 AM
The Town of Port Hedland has secured more than $37,000 from the State Government to attract childcare staff and boost retention.
Delivered by the WA Department of Communities with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), the funding aims to help address staff recruitment and retention issues experienced by regional childhood education and childcare operators.
The Town received the largest share of the Government’s recently announced funding for 14 local governments, and is using the funds to run a dedicated grants program to boost childcare in the region.
Mayor Peter Carter said childcare was a critical issue for Hedland and the grants program would go some way to bringing childcare workers to the region.
“Our community is struggling to access childcare and the Town is committed to supporting the sector’s growth,” Mayor Carter said.
“This grants program is one of the tools in our toolbox to increase childcare capacity. It comes after the recent announcement that local Hedland child care operators applying for skilled workers through the Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreement will have their endorsement fees waived by the RDA Pilbara with support from the Town.”
The Town applied to the State Government for funding, and it was announced last week that $37,500 had been allocated to the Town. The Town is contributing a further $10,000 to the program.
“This funding will support the launch of the Community Childcare Grant category, which will be open for applications in October,” Mayor Carter said.
“Through the program, childcare organisations can receive up to $5,000 to design, implement and complete projects that respond to local childcare issues in Port Hedland. I’m looking forward to seeing the success of this program as part of our wider strategy to support increased capacity in Hedland childcare.”
Information sessions on the Town’s Community Grants Program, including the new childcare grants, will be held in September.
For more information about the Town's Community Grants Program, click here.
For media information:
Town of Port Hedland, PR and Communications Team
Email: media@porthedland.wa.gov.au
Phone: 08 9158 9300
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