What is the General Pathway Training Pathway?

The Career Boost- General Pathway aims to take your career to the next level, enabling you to grow and apply your skills to an existing or new job role and to support productivity growth and workplace innovation.

Qualifications and skill sets delivered through a general training pathway are available for direct enrolment and do not require the student to enter into a training (apprenticeship/traineeship) contract with an employer.

Click here for more information on the Career Boost Funding

What Qualifications are subsidised?

CHC50121 – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Are you eligible to participate?Under Career Boost, a student may access either:

  • one subsidised training place in either a certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma qualification under the general training pathway or
  • a higher level apprenticeship/traineeship in a certificate IV or above.

In addition, under Career Boost, students may access 2 subsidised skill sets in priority industries or sectors.

If the student has already accessed 2 apprenticeships/traineeships through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) or Career Start within the last 10 years, they are not eligible to undertake an apprenticeship/traineeship under Career Boost.

A student cannot do 2 general training pathway qualifications under Career Boost.

To access a subsidised training place under Career Boost, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • aged 15 years or older;
  • not be a school student;
  • permanently reside in Queensland
  • be an Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident (includes humanitarian entrant), or a temporary resident with the right visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen;

  • not already have a certificate IV or higher qualification (including tertiary qualification) completed within the last 10 years (qualifications completed as a school student and foundation skills qualification do not count).

  • not be enrolled in another qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred, whether funded by DTET or not (foundation skills qualifications do not count)
  • Along with the eligibility criteria above, specific entry restrictions or exemptions may apply to certain subsidised qualifications and skill sets. These are set by industry or sector requirements, as well as national training package guidelines.

How can you participate?

It’s important to take the time to carefully consider your training options and compare different providers, their fees, and training schedules before committing to a course of study. Once you’ve found the right fit, you can take the next step and enrol in this course to start building your skills and advancing your career.

Do you need to contribute to the cost of training?

Yes – Given the benefits that training provides to your career and future while undertaking Diploma level training, you are required to contribute towards your training through a co-contribution fee. If you qualify for funding, your contribution is greatly reduced – you’ll pay just $450 for the entire course.

The fee can be paid on your behalf by your employer, a family member, a friend, or another organisation. However, it cannot be paid or waived by the training provider or any related organisation unless approved by the department.

What is included with the Co-Contribution fees?

  • All Course Materials
  • All assessment activities
  • Live Online or face-to-face training options
  • Direct contact with your trainer
  • Support throughout your course
  • Online support and guided learning

How can I pay for my course?

Quarterly Installments: Students will be invoiced for their co-contribution fee over four instalments, three-monthly, in advance.Course fees are to be paid via bank transfer to MECTA by the due date on your invoice.

How To Apply

Step 1: Enrolment Enquiry – To let us know that you are interested in studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, complete an Enquiry Form online. We will assess your eligibility for funding. Once we have received this form and confirmed eligibility, we will send you all the information regarding your course in the enquiry email and handbook. You will be required to send back a confirmation that you would like to proceed training with us.

Step 2: Complete course onboarding – You will be sent a link to log into our Student Management System Axcelerate to complete our online onboarding. Once this is complete, you will receive an Enrolment Confirmation.

Step 3: Commence Training – You will be enrolled in the Nationally Recognised Course you have chosen with MECTA, and you can commence your training.