EYSAC Workforce Strategy: Action Plan
About the Action Plan
This Action Plan is grounded in extensive consultation, collaboration, and connection across Tasmania’s education and care sector. It draws on local, state, and national research and evidence, while being shaped by the lived experience, professional expertise, and insights of educators, service leaders, sector representatives, training providers, government partners, and other key stakeholders. Through this approach, the Action Plan reflects both the current realities and future aspirations of the Tasmanian workforce.
Central to the development of this Action Plan has been the EYSAC Connections Network, a sector-led forum established to drive collaboration, innovation, and shared problem solving. The Network has provided a vital mechanism for co-designing priorities, testing ideas, and informing strategic direction across workforce attraction, retention, capability development, and leadership.
Importantly, this Action Plan aligns with, informs, and contributes to the National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy (2021-2030), Shaping Our Future. While supporting a coordinated national approach to addressing shared workforce challenges, the Plan is intentionally contextualised for Tasmania, reflecting the state’s workforce profile, service delivery environment, and strategic priorities. In doing so, it creates a bridge between national reform efforts and local action, ensuring that Tasmania is both contributing to and benefiting from broader sector-wide workforce development initiatives.
The EYSAC Workforce Strategy, formed by the ECA Tasmania Branch, provides the long-term vision and strategic framework for strengthening Tasmania’s education and care workforce. This Action Plan has been developed to operationalise that vision, translating the Strategy’s focus areas and priorities into practical, measurable actions that can be implemented across the sector.
Strategic Priority 1: Professional Identity, Recognition and Empowerment
Strengthen the visibility, value and professional standing of the education and care workforce across Tasmania.
Promote the value and contribution of the education and care workforce, strengthening recognition of its role in supporting strong communities, a healthy economy, and positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Workforce Connections continues to promote the value and contribution of the education and care workforce through stakeholder engagement, workforce forums, community presentations, career promotion activities and industry partnerships across Tasmania.
- The program continues to highlight the critical role educators play in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing, while also contributing to workforce participation, community resilience and economic outcomes.
- Workforce Connections continues to contribute to consultations, stakeholder discussions and workforce engagement activities that inform government workforce initiatives, policy development and sector planning.
- Scholarship Program communications continue to showcase educator achievements and professional growth, helping to elevate the profile of the workforce and reinforce the importance of investing in education and care professionals.
- Ongoing workforce advocacy and engagement activities continue to strengthen awareness of the sector’s contribution and support recognition of education and care as a valued profession and career pathway.
Co-design shared advocacy priorities and principles to support a unified and evidence-informed sector voice.
- Workforce Connections has facilitated engagement with service providers, peak bodies, training organisations and government stakeholders to identify common workforce priorities, challenges and opportunities across the sector.
- The Connections Network activities have provided a valuable forum for services and stakeholders to discuss shared workforce challenges, exchange ideas and develop consistent messaging to support sector advocacy efforts.
- Through regular stakeholder engagement and network discussions, Workforce Connections has supported collaboration around emerging workforce issues and contributed to a more coordinated and evidence-informed sector voice.
- Feedback and insights gathered through the Connections Network and broader consultation activities have informed workforce advocacy discussions and helped identify priority areas for sector and government consideration.
- Ongoing collaboration between stakeholders continues to strengthen sector alignment, shared advocacy priorities and collective approaches to workforce development challenges.
Promote consistent professional language across the sector, government, media and community to strengthen workforce identity and recognition.
- Workforce Connections activities have consistently championed professional language and messaging that positions educators as skilled professionals with an essential role in children’s learning, development and wellbeing
- Workforce communications and promotional materials have reinforced positive workforce identity and professional recognition.
- Workforce Connections has actively leveraged and promoted the How to Talk About ECEC and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) resources across its engagement activities, providing these resources to stakeholders and partners to encourage consistent sector language and messaging.
- The program continues to share and promote the resources through stakeholder meetings, workforce discussions, presentations and network activities, supporting greater alignment in how the education and care profession is described and understood.
- Ongoing promotion of consistent and strengths-based language contributes to improved workforce recognition and a stronger professional identity across the sector.
Support leaders to act as sector advocates and champions, strengthening professional identity and influence across Tasmania.
- Workforce Connections has engaged service leaders in workforce discussions, consultation activities and collaborative initiatives that strengthen advocacy capability and sector leadership.
- Leaders have been supported to contribute workforce insights, share emerging challenges and promote workforce-focused solutions.
Promote workforce confidence, professional identity and career pride by recognising and celebrating the contribution of educators across Tasmania.
- A key focus of the Connections Network has been strengthening professional identity across the sector by creating opportunities for educators and leaders to engage in professional reflection, share practice and build collective understanding of the dispositions that support high-quality education and care.
- Connections Network activities have encouraged educators to recognise the value and impact of their professional role, fostering greater workforce confidence, career pride and professional belonging.
- Through ongoing networking, collaboration and professional dialogue, Workforce Connections continues to support a positive and strengths-based culture that recognises and celebrates the expertise and contribution of Tasmania’s education and care workforce.
Strategic Priority 2: Workforce Wellbeing, Belonging and Sustainability
Create the conditions for educators to thrive through wellbeing, inclusion, connection and psychologically safe workplaces.
Build service capability to embed wellbeing as a core element of workforce planning, leadership and organisational practice, creating the conditions for an engaged, sustainable and thriving workforce.
- Feedback gathered through stakeholder engagement has reinforced the importance of educator wellbeing as a foundation for a sustainable, capable and thriving workforce.
- Workforce Connections has identified wellbeing as a priority focus area within sector engagement activities, recognising the strong link between workforce wellbeing, retention, quality practice and workforce sustainability.
- Planning is underway to incorporate a dedicated wellbeing focus into upcoming Innovation Network meetings and regional forums, providing opportunities for leaders and educators to explore strategies that support workforce wellbeing, resilience and sustainable workplace cultures.
Support leaders to foster inclusive and connected workplace cultures that recognise and value diversity, promote belonging, and respond to the unique needs of individuals and teams.
- Workforce Connections continues to engage with organisations and stakeholders that support diverse workforce groups, strengthening understanding of barriers, opportunities and practical approaches to creating more inclusive workplaces.
- Inclusion, diversity and belonging were a key focus of the February 2026 Innovation Network Meeting, providing leaders with opportunities to explore contemporary practice, share experiences and build capability in creating inclusive and connected workplace cultures.
- Through the Scholarship Program, opportunities are being explored to identify additional wraparound supports that may assist learners and educators to successfully participate in and complete their studies.
- Workforce Connections is supporting leaders to strengthen their knowledge and practice in fostering workplace cultures that value diversity, promote belonging and respond to the varied needs of individuals and teams.
- Ongoing stakeholder engagement is contributing to a stronger understanding of the support mechanisms, partnerships and workforce strategies needed to create workplaces where all educators feel valued, connected and able to thrive.
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Workforce Connections has designed the Five Roots of Quality Practice professional learning and coaching program, which will be delivered across Tasmania to strengthen knowledge, reflection and practice. The initiative focuses on building the dispositions that underpin quality education and care, supporting leaders and educators to embed inclusive, connected and relational approaches that foster workforce wellbeing, belonging and positive workplace culture.
Develop leaders' capability to create psychologically safe, supportive and high-performing teams.
- Workforce Connections has designed and will deliver a targeted program of professional learning and coaching support focused on the neuroscience of connection, effective feedback practices, change management and relational practice. This initiative is aimed at strengthening leaders’ capability to build psychologically safe workplace cultures, support team wellbeing, navigate change effectively and foster high-performing, connected teams.
- The professional learning program will provide practical tools and strategies that support leaders to strengthen communication, relationships, trust and team engagement, contributing to improved workforce wellbeing and sustainability.
- The coaching component will support leaders to embed learning into practice, build confidence in applying new approaches and create positive workplace environments that support both educator wellbeing and quality outcomes for children and families.
Strengthen mentoring, coaching and professional development practices that contribute to workforce wellbeing and sustainability.
- Through the Connections Network, professional learning has been delivered to Educational Leaders focused on effective feedback approaches and the dispositions required to support professional growth, reflective practice and continuous improvement.
- This work has informed the development of a mentoring framework designed to strengthen mentoring capability and support workforce development across the sector.
- Professional learning has also been delivered to team leaders and emerging leaders using the Gradual Release of Responsibility model, building leadership capability and strengthening approaches to coaching, support and workforce development.
- The Scholarship Program is modelling mentoring practice through its engagement with scholarship recipients and is working alongside service-based mentors to strengthen workplace mentoring approaches and support successful learner outcomes.
Strategic Priority 3: Leadership, Practice and Workforce Capability
Build contemporary leadership and practice capability across the sector to meet the changing needs of children, families and communities.
Support the development of leadership capability at all levels, enabling emerging and established leaders to influence, mentor and guide workforce development.
- Dedicated network events and professional learning opportunities are supporting leaders at all levels to strengthen their practice, build confidence in their roles and embed meaningful practice change within their teams and services.
- Workforce Connections has adopted a layered approach to leadership development, recognising that building capability across all levels of leadership is critical to workforce sustainability and quality improvement.
- A suite of in-service professional learning packages has been developed and will further strengthen leadership capability across services by providing practical, workplace-based learning opportunities that support leaders and educators to embed evidence-informed practice and drive continuous improvement.
Identify and support emerging leaders to build leadership capability and strengthen future sector sustainability.
- The Connections Network has broadened its scope to provide targeted leadership development opportunities for different leadership cohorts, including Educational Leaders, Team Leaders, Room Leaders and Emerging Leaders.
Strengthen leaders' capability in strategic workforce planning, succession planning and workforce sustainability.
- Workforce Connections has gathered workforce intelligence relating to workforce shortages, succession planning challenges and future workforce needs through ongoing sector consultation and stakeholder engagement.
- Discussions with employers and sector leaders have highlighted workforce sustainability risks and opportunities, informing workforce planning conversations and future workforce initiatives.
- Workforce Connections has supported leaders to consider long-term workforce development approaches, including succession planning, leadership pipelines and strategies to attract and retain skilled educators.
- The establishment of the North West Workforce Action Group has created a collaborative forum for service leaders and stakeholders to build capability in workforce planning and actively contribute to regional workforce initiatives.
- Through the Workforce Action Group, leaders are strengthening their understanding of local workforce challenges, sharing effective workforce strategies and contributing to the development of place-based solutions that support workforce sustainability across the region.
Build leaders' capability to attract, develop, retain and grow high-quality teams that support quality practice and future workforce needs.
- Workforce Connections is delivering the School Pathway Pilot in partnership with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP), creating opportunities to strengthen awareness of education and care careers and support future workforce attraction pathways.
- The Workforce Capability Assessment has been promoted across the sector to support leaders to better understand workforce strengths, capability gaps and development priorities within their services.
- Strategic coaching opportunities are being offered to support leaders to implement workforce attraction, development and retention strategies that respond to the specific needs of their teams and services.
Strategic Priority 4: Pathways, Pipelines and Workforce Access
Strengthen and diversify workforce entry, participation and progression pathways across Tasmania.
Support career progression pathways that encourage workforce retention, advancement and long-term participation in the sector.
- Dedicated network events and professional learning opportunities are supporting leaders at all levels to strengthen their practice, build confidence in their roles and embed meaningful practice change within their teams and services.
- Workforce Connections has adopted a layered approach to leadership development, recognising that building capability across all levels of leadership is critical to workforce sustainability and quality improvement.
- A suite of in-service professional learning packages has been developed and will further strengthen leadership capability across services by providing practical, workplace-based learning opportunities that support leaders and educators to embed evidence-informed practice and drive continuous improvement.
Promote place-based workforce solutions that address regional and local workforce shortages.
- Workforce Connections continues to engage with services, educators and stakeholders across Tasmania to identify regional workforce challenges and inform place-based workforce responses.
- The establishment of the North West Workforce Action Group has provided a dedicated regional forum for services and stakeholders to collaborate on local workforce issues, share insights and contribute to workforce initiatives that respond to regional needs.
- Connections Network activities are delivered across each region of Tasmania, creating opportunities for educators and leaders to connect, engage in professional learning, share local perspectives and strengthen regional workforce networks.
- To improve accessibility and participation, Workforce Connections has expanded delivery to include online network sessions and learning opportunities, enabling educators and leaders from all regions to participate regardless of location.
- Feedback, workforce intelligence and emerging priorities gathered through regional engagement activities continue to inform workforce planning, advocacy and the development of locally relevant workforce solutions.
Support the development of coordinated attraction and pathway initiatives that increase workforce participation and create accessible entry points into the education and care sector.
- Workforce Connections has gathered workforce intelligence relating to workforce shortages, succession planning challenges and future workforce needs through ongoing sector consultation and stakeholder engagement.
- Discussions with employers and sector leaders have highlighted workforce sustainability risks and opportunities, informing workforce planning conversations and future workforce initiatives.
- Workforce Connections has supported leaders to consider long-term workforce development approaches, including succession planning, leadership pipelines and strategies to attract and retain skilled educators.
- The establishment of the North West Workforce Action Group has created a collaborative forum for service leaders and stakeholders to build capability in workforce planning and actively contribute to regional workforce initiatives.
- Through the Workforce Action Group, leaders are strengthening their understanding of local workforce challenges, sharing effective workforce strategies and contributing to the development of place-based solutions that support workforce sustainability across the region.
Facilitate connections between individuals, employers, training providers and support services to strengthen workforce participation and career pathways.
- Workforce Connections is delivering the School Pathway Pilot in partnership with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP), creating opportunities to strengthen awareness of education and care careers and support future workforce attraction pathways.
- The Workforce Capability Assessment has been promoted across the sector to support leaders to better understand workforce strengths, capability gaps and development priorities within their services.
- Strategic coaching opportunities are being offered to support leaders to implement workforce attraction, development and retention strategies that respond to the specific needs of their teams and services.
Provide targeted scholarship opportunities that reduce financial barriers to qualification attainment, career progression and workforce participation.
Strengthen support systems for learners and trainees to reduce barriers to participation and completion.
Identify barriers to qualification completion and advocate for system-level solutions that improve access, participation and successful completion of training pathways.
Strategic Priority 5: Future-Focused Workforce System, Collaboration and Innovation
Drive connected, evidence-informed and future-ready workforce development across the sector.
Support a coordinated and evidence-informed approach to workforce advocacy and sector development. Build stronger partnerships with government, industry, education and community stakeholders.
- An environmental scan was completed at the commencement of the Workforce Connections Program to establish a baseline understanding of workforce challenges, opportunities and priorities across Tasmania’s education and care sector.
- Workforce Connections continues to undertake ongoing research, sector engagement and environmental scanning activities to build and maintain a contemporary workforce knowledge base.
- Information gathered through research, stakeholder engagement, workforce consultations and sector discussions is used to inform workforce advocacy, program planning and workforce development initiatives.
- Emerging workforce trends, challenges, opportunities and examples of effective practice are regularly shared through Connections Network events and other sector engagement activities, supporting a more informed and connected workforce.
- Ongoing engagement with educators, service leaders, government representatives, training providers and sector stakeholders ensures Workforce Connections remains informed of current and emerging workforce issues.
- Workforce insights and evidence collected through program activities continue to contribute to workforce advocacy efforts and support a coordinated, evidence-informed approach to workforce development across Tasmania.
- Sharing workforce knowledge, research findings and sector intelligence is strengthening collective understanding of workforce priorities and supporting collaborative responses to workforce challenges.
Build stronger partnerships with government, industry, education and community stakeholders.
- The Connections Network has broadened its scope to provide targeted leadership development opportunities for different leadership cohorts, including Educational Leaders, Team Leaders, Room Leaders and Emerging Leaders.
Strengthen strategic workforce planning capability across the sector by supporting leaders to identify and respond to emerging workforce trends, challenges and opportunities.
- Workforce Connections has gathered workforce intelligence relating to workforce shortages, succession planning challenges and future workforce needs through ongoing sector consultation and stakeholder engagement.
- Discussions with employers and sector leaders have highlighted workforce sustainability risks and opportunities, informing workforce planning conversations and future workforce initiatives.
- Workforce Connections has supported leaders to consider long-term workforce development approaches, including succession planning, leadership pipelines and strategies to attract and retain skilled educators.
- The establishment of the North West Workforce Action Group has created a collaborative forum for service leaders and stakeholders to build capability in workforce planning and actively contribute to regional workforce initiatives.
- Through the Workforce Action Group, leaders are strengthening their understanding of local workforce challenges, sharing effective workforce strategies and contributing to the development of place-based solutions that support workforce sustainability across the region.
Ensure training and professional development opportunities are responsive to changing workforce requirements.
- Workforce Connections is delivering the School Pathway Pilot in partnership with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP), creating opportunities to strengthen awareness of education and care careers and support future workforce attraction pathways.
- The Workforce Capability Assessment has been promoted across the sector to support leaders to better understand workforce strengths, capability gaps and development priorities within their services.
- Strategic coaching opportunities are being offered to support leaders to implement workforce attraction, development and retention strategies that respond to the specific needs of their teams and services.
Promote innovation in workforce development, learning models and capability-building approaches.
Use workforce data, evidence and stakeholder collaboration to inform attraction, retention and workforce participation strategies.
Support flexible and innovative approaches that strengthen workforce sustainability and future readiness.
Collect and share workforce insights to inform evidence-based workforce planning, policy development and sector responses.
Find Out More
Contact us: workforceinitiativetas@earlychildhood.org.au
Supporting People. Strengthening Services. Growing the Workforce.
