The Y is thrilled to welcome eight Early Childhood Educators from Papua New Guinea as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme pilot.
The Early Childhood Education and Care sector pilot will place qualified educators in sites across Katherine and Mparntwe Alice Springs.
The Y Northern Territory CEO Emma Bunting says the Y is proud to be one of two employers participating in the pilot.
“The PALM pilot is really important for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and for the children and families we support,” she says.
“We look forward to welcoming eight Educators from Papua New Guinea to our services in 2025.”
The Educators will be placed across three Y Early Learning Centres – Little Mangoes Early Learning in Katherine and Grevillea Early Learning and Sadadeen Early Learning in Mparntwe Alice Springs.
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The PALM scheme pilot addresses critical ongoing shortages in staffing in these regions.
“PALM is just one part of our diversified workforce recruitment strategy to ensure sustainability of our Centres,” Emma says.
“The PALM scheme ensures that we can continue to deliver essential services for families in the Northern Territory.”
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In October this year, Emma Bunting visited Papua New Guinea, accompanied by People and Culture Executive Leader Jason Chin, and Children’s Services General Manager Michelle Dolby, to recruit and interview Early Learning Educators.
Watch the highlights video – PALM visit in Papua New Guinea
This pilot will support children and families in the Territory, but it also has an immense impact on families and their communities in Papua New Guinea.
“Meeting the Educators and their families and seeing firsthand the impact a job opportunity like this can have on community and family was very special,” Emma says.
“We are excited about the cross-cultural learning opportunities that the PALM scheme presents.
“Celebrating diversity is really important in Early Learning as it strengthens children’s social and emotional development and cultural appreciation of others.”
