Opportunity for men to pursue careers in childcare industry

An award-winning course aimed at males over the age of 16 who would like to work with children in a professional capacity is on offer in Perth.

The next Men in Childcare course starts on February 5 and will run on Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm until the end of June in the community wing of Perth Grammar School.

The free men-only course gives an introduction to working with children. Students will experience early years and childcare theory and practice, with support from Perth and Kinross Council and will have the opportunity to gain recognised Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) credits from Perth College UHI.

Now in its fourth year, the course aims to address the gender imbalance in the childcare workforce.

Perth and Kinross Council identified the need to redress the balance and established the course to not only encourage more men into childcare and give children access to a range of positive role models, but also to promote positive male role models specifically in childcare settings.

Convener of the council’s education and lifelong learning committee, Councillor Caroline Shiers, said: “The characteristics of the current childcare workforce are very distinctive in that it is dominated by females. However research indicates that children benefit from having males present in the childcare setting.”

For more information or to book a place on this free course which could lead to potential employment opportunities, contact Perth and Kinross Council’s Childcare Strategy Team on 01738 472350 or email childcare@pkc.gov.uk