Alongside Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer, Mr Tudge used the opportunity to share government initiatives including increased funding in the budget, as well as learn what was affecting the sector.

The visit follows recent reports of parents struggling to find childcare placements for their children, coupled with the cost.

Mr Tudge described the forum as productive.

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"We were discussing the additional funding which we've [the federal government] put into childcare in the budget, as well as the additional $2 billion which we've put into kindergartens to ensure kids have the best start in their education," he said.

"The biggest issue that came up in this meeting was actually workforce issues, where many of the providers were saying they simply can't get the staff in order to be able to meet the demand.

"This is a particular problem here and I would say I've never heard the issue expressed so strongly as I have here in Northern Tasmania, I know there are problems right across Australia but I think it's quite acute here".

Mr Tudge said the problem was multi-faceted, with international border closures impacting skilled worker migration, as well as a lack of skilled staff in the state.

He said the government's JobTrainer package was a way to help ease the strain.

"That's why in the budget we allocated 450,000 more places in the JobTrainer program, of which for Tasmania is about 3500 additional places," Mr Tudge said.

"We need to get people skilled up, and skilled up quickly to be able to fill those gaps".

Mr Tudge also visited St Patrick's College at Prospect to view work on current facility upgrades, which were part funded by a $250,000 grant.

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