Aspiring and current teachers have converged on the Teach Queensland Career Fair at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to explore job opportunities in teaching.
Minister for Education Grace Grace said the Palaszczuk Government is ensuring teachers in Queensland state schools have good, secure jobs and a great lifestyle.
“The annual Teach Queensland Career Fair brings together school leaders from across the state to recruit more teachers for 2023 and beyond,” Ms Grace said.
“The Department of Education employs more than 54,000 teachers in Queensland state schools, and we are always looking for more.
“There are plenty of opportunities, with four new state schools opening next year joining the 21 schools the Palaszczuk Government has already opened since 2015.
“In 2020 our Government also committed to hiring almost 6,200 new teachers over the next four years. We are on track to meet that target, and there are many good, secure jobs on offer.
“We’re also making sure the Queensland Department of Education is the employer-of-choice for teachers, with an attractive enterprise bargaining offer accepted in principle by the Queensland Teachers’ Union that will deliver pay rises and better conditions.
“Our focus is on ensuring we can recruit the teachers our students need, while helping teachers to find the best opportunity for them personally and professionally.
“As of yesterday about 1,500 people had registered to attend the Fair, and we’re hoping to see even more.
“We know that these fairs are successful in connecting people with jobs – more than 150 people walked away from our 2022 Teach Rural Career Fair with an offer of employment.
“We are hoping to see existing state school teachers considering a sea or tree change, career progression, teachers from other schooling sectors considering the transition to the state sector, and preservice teachers looking to secure their first teaching role.
“They will receive all the info they need to take the next step in their teaching career, including benefits and incentives for teaching in our fantastic regional, rural and remote communities.
“Passionate school and regional representatives will be on hand to answer questions about applications, relocation, accommodation, support, and career progression.
“Information about scholarships, grants and internship pathways will also be provided.
“Attendees can also find out more about the Palaszczuk Government’s recently announced $10 million Trade to Teach program, which will support tradies who are interested in teaching to make the switch.
“There will also be information about our $20 million Turn to Teaching paid internship program, which will provide 300 aspiring teachers with financial support, mentoring and paid internships to complete their qualification and take up a guaranteed permanent state school teaching role.
“We are looking for exceptional people to join our teaching workforce – people who are ready for a challenge to join us in supporting the learning journey of more than 550,000 Queensland students.
The Teach Queensland Career Fair is held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 3 September from 10am to 3pm.
