Empowering Remote Communities Through Education: The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Pilot Project

Sue Barry; Hannah Samson

doi:10.47381/aijre.v35i1.783

Empowering Remote Communities Through Education

The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Pilot Project

Authors

Sue Barry Uni Hub Spencer Gulf https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8992-1384
Hannah Samson Uni Hub Spencer Gulf https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3300-1587

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v35i1.783

Keywords:

early childhood, remote community, training, industry-education partnership

Abstract

The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Pilot Project was designed to address a critical shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the remote mining town of Roxby Downs, South Australia. This shortage impacts not only early childhood services but also workforce participation and overall community stability. In collaboration with BHP, the Roxby Downs Children’s Centre, and CQUniversity, Uni Hub Spencer Gulf developed a blended learning model that allows residents to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care through a combination of flexible online coursework and practical, hands-on training. This initiative helped participants gain qualifications while directly contributing to the needs of their community. The paper explores how workforce shortages in remote areas can be addressed through locally adapted, creative solutions, the value of building strong partnerships between industry and education to create sustainable workforce models and the impact of blended learning in supporting local workforce development and community.

Author Biography

Sue Barry, Uni Hub Spencer Gulf

Sue is the Centre Manager for the Kadina Uni Hub Spencer Gulf, a Regional University Study Hub based on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Over the last 25 years, Sue has worked in the Early Childhood and VET sectors in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Sue's main focus has been on improving access and equity for regional, rural and remote communities for Early Childhood Education and the VET sector as well as advocating for greater transparency and equity in education for regional, rural and remote communities.

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Published

11-03-2025

How to Cite

Barry, S., & Samson, H. (2025). Empowering Remote Communities Through Education: The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Pilot Project. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 35(1), 97–103. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v35i1.783

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Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2025): Rural Education for Regional and Community Development

Section

RURAL CONNECTIONS: CELEBRATING SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

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