TAFE teacher recruitment blitz smashes targets

• The Crisafulli Government’s campaign to recruit next generation of TAFE teachers has received more than 3,600 expressions of interest.  
• New cohort of teachers will train future tradies to help overcome Labor’s skills shortage, with approximately 80 per cent of expressions of interest to date have been to teach in priority industries.  
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by turning the tide on the former Labor Government's decade of decline. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment and repairing Labor's skills shortage, with more than 3,600 expressions of interest lodged for TAFE teachers to train the next generation of skilled workers.  

The campaign is yet another Crisafulli Government election promise delivered with

resounding success, having smashed the target of 400 expressions of interest in a matter of days. 

It comes on top of the 336 TAFE jobs saved by the Crisafulli Government after Labor left them on a funding cliff. 

Dedicated recruitment facilitators have now been appointed and are contacting potential TAFE teachers in priority industries where workforce shortages are causing the biggest impact. 

Queensland’s newest teachers will take on roles at TAFE Queensland,  CQUniversity, and other VET providers across the State. 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the response to the recruitment blitz had been staggering.  

“It’s amazing to see so many Queenslanders jumping at the opportunity to help play a critical role in building the future of the State,” Minister Bates said.   

“Labor’s legacy was a skills shortage with a predicted peak shortfall of 50,000 skilled construction workers, and we knew that to rebuild our workforce we’d need an army of teachers which is exactly what we’re delivering. 

“Around 80 per cent of the expressions of interest received so far are for priority industries like trades and technical; health and community services and ICT, which means the successful candidates will be teaching the skills we need most. 

“Our dedicated recruitment facilitators are now working through the expressions of interest to help candidates on their journeys to becoming TAFE teachers.” 

Cairns’ Andrew Evans now teaches at the TAFE Queensland campus where he completed his plumbing apprenticeship.  

“I think when you know what it’s like to be an apprentice it sets you up to know how to teach them,” Mr Evans said. 

“My experience is broad and substantial – I think that translates into being able to offer my students a great foundation for their future careers.” 

The former business owner made a spontaneous move from the trade to teaching ten years ago and says it’s his passion for his students that’s kept him in the job.  

“When you teach someone and you see the light come on because they get it, that to me is very, very rewarding,” he said. 

“To get to see these guys so keen and excited to get on the job is pretty awesome.” 

The $2 million TAFE teacher recruitment drive is an election commitment of the Crisafulli  Government.  

These programs are also part of Measures to Strengthen the VET Workforce, a joint initiative between the Australian and Queensland Governments.    

For more information about becoming a TAFE teacher visit the online hub at www.qld.gov.au/tafeteacher  

To find out more about the support available to RTOs, visit https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/providers/supporting-staff-to-study-training-and-assessment