News

A new digital hub and fully subsidised opportunities are now available to the state’s 2,300-strong vocational education and training (VET) and adult community education (ACE) workforce.

The $10 million Strengthening the VET Workforce program, jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, is equipping educators with additional support as they train the next generation of skilled workers.

Opportunities promoted on the digital hub include:

• Professional development in mental health, autistic adult learners and trauma informed teaching practice
• Scholarships for educators and aspiring educators
• Simpler pathways for industry to become educators, with short ‘taster’ courses to demonstrate what VET teaching looks like on the ground
• Opportunities for educators to take on research 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.

Horticulturalist and Training Coordinator at SA Learning Centre Chris Wood said:

“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.”

An implementation framework, informed by feedback from across the VET sector, outlines actions to attract, retain and develop educators and support them at every stage of their careers.