Retrain On The Job

Newcastle Herald

Monday August 11, 2008

The Government is offering incentives for people to train and work as science

and maths teachers.

QUALIFIED teachers with approval to teach

from the NSW Department of Education

and Training can consider a career change

without leaving the profession.

Retraining recognises existing qualifications, skills

and experience to allow work in other teaching

areas.

Opportunities are available in a variety of

curriculum areas including technology, mathematics,

science and vocational education.

They are also available in specialist teaching areas

including special education, school counselling,

careers advising, teacher-librarianship, English as a

second language and reading recovery tutoring.

Retraining provides the opportunity to acquire

new knowledge and teaching skills, develop

confidence as a teacher, and broaden career

advancement opportunities.

Retraining programs are rigorous tertiary

programs that are delivered by universities and

TAFE Institutes.

Delivery is usually through full-time face-to-face

or part-time distance modes.

The period of training for full-time programs

varies from six to 12 months.

Apart from a tertiary training component,

retraining programs include a number of support

features such as an orientation and school-based

mentoring support.

Teachers are appointed to a school in an area of

staffing need on completion of retraining.