This month TAFE Western Institute director Kate Baxter joined Shanghai AXGZ Education Training Co Ltd chairman and chief executive officer Lawrence Feng in signing a co-operation agreement.

The agreement indicates the organisations’ intention to work together in the future.

Ms Baxter said they were looking to establish the Australian Early Childhood Education Project that would involve TAFE Western running short-term early childhood education training courses in China.

“It is anticipated that training courses will cover topics such as children’s development, play experiences for children, sustainable practices in early childhood and music and movement,” she said.

The new partnership followed TAFE Western’s acceptance of an invitation to run a masterclass in China.

“Shanghai AXGZ Education Training Co Ltd recently invited TAFE Western teacher Susan Bird to China to present a five-day Early Childhood Education and Care (Babies and Toddlers) masterclass to industry experts and officials from the Shanghai Early Childhood Commission and the Shanghai Maternal and Infant Integrity Union,” Ms Baxter said.

“This masterclass was so well received in China it has formed the basis of what we hope will be a close, long-term partnership that will integrate advantageous learning resources in both Australia and China.”

At the signing in Orange Mr Feng said: “AXGZ looks forward to working with TAFE Western to deliver training in this important area for Chinese early childhood workers and Chinese parents.”

TAFE Western anticipates running another masterclass in Shanghai in late September, with a follow-up planned for November.