A new hub bringing together a $10 million program to boost South Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) workforce is now open, providing a one-stop resource for educators to upskill and helping attract more people into teaching roles.
Fully subsidised opportunities are available through the hub for educators across TAFEs, training providers and adult community education (ACE) – equipping our workforce with additional support as they train the next generation of skilled workers.
The program is a jointly funded commitment by the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments and responds to growing demand on South Australia’s 2,300 educators delivering training in our state.
The funding also delivers initiatives to grow the educator workforce by more than 300 – and attract more industry professionals into VET teaching, including in areas of need such as building and construction, early childhood, defence and health.
Opportunities promoted on the digital hub range from:
- Simpler pathways for industry to become educators, with short ‘taster’ courses to demonstrate what VET teaching looks like on the ground.
- Scholarships for educators and aspiring educators.
- Professional development in mental health, autistic adult learners and trauma informed teaching practice.
- Encouraging educators to take on research opportunities within the sector.
- Support new and early career educators with mentoring to ensure they stay in the industry.
- Help experienced VET educators to complete higher-level qualifications to strengthen their teaching quality and mentor early career educators.
The hub shows how educators shape the future of learning and workforce development, with horticulturalist Chris Wood upskilling to teach a diverse cohort of VET in Schools students at the South Australian Learning Centre, at Minda Inc.
A new Government framework has also been launched on the hub to attract, retain and develop educators and support them at every stage of their careers.
To access the hub, head to educatorhub.skills.sa.gov.au.
As put by Lucy Hood
Supporting our vocational educators is central to building the skilled workforce we need to deliver the state’s major projects.
As we see more students take up in-demand courses, the role of VET trainers has become even more important to equip the next generation of workers.
The new hub enables our educators to expand their qualifications, removes barriers to further development and helps them learn from leaders early in their career.
The initiative encourages workers to transition into vocational teaching – if you know it, then grow it and share your industry expertise with students.
As put by Training Coordinator at SA Learning Centre, Chris Wood
I originally studied teaching at university and completed placements in schools, but I didn’t feel it was the right fit at the time. Later, when I discovered opportunities in adult education, it reignited my interest in teaching and ultimately led me into VET.
I enjoy seeing and supporting students overcome obstacles to learning during their course and value that I can be a part of their journey to completion and then onto meaningful employment.
