Teachers in demand in north

Teaching graduates are still in demand in northern Queensland and rural and remote areas of the State despite reports of a glut in the south-east corner.

Oct 29, 2012: - Teaching graduates are still in demand in northern Queensland and rural and remote areas of the State despite reports of a glut in the south-east corner.

James Cook University’s Professor Nola Alloway said that schools from across the North were looking for new teachers for 2013 and in the future.

Professor Alloway, who is pro Vice Chancellor of the University’s Faculty of Arts Education and Social Sciences, said that there was a particular and growing demand for teachers in Maths, the Sciences, English and vocational subjects.

The North’s leading Schools, including Kirwan State High School, Bentley Park College, Innisfail State College, and Redlynch State College are working together to encourage local school leavers and mature age students to meet the growing demand

The group’s ‘Learn and Earn in the North’ strategy highlights the need for new teachers as baby boomers retire from the teaching workforce.

“All schools want to recruit local teachers with a commitment to the community and the region,” Professor Alloway said.

She said that she had met with representatives from a number of the schools last week and assured them that JCU would investigate all options to help new students enrol in teaching courses so that they could embark on the most rewarding of careers.

“JCU is investigating how to streamline its courses to make them quicker to complete and will continue its commitment to schools and teachers by focusing on practical experience,” Professor Alloway said.

“We are ruling nothing out in meeting the demand for our teaching graduates and considering all options to help our partners in education in the North.

“JCU’s current programs help students from regional and remote areas get to JCU and we will expand these programs to meet this demand.”

A recent OECD report puts starting teaching salaries in Australia well above the OECD average.

Information on applying to JCU can be found at www.jcu.edu.au or by calling 1800 246 446.

Issued: October 29, 2012

JCU Media: Jim O’Brien 07 4781 4822 or 0418 892449