A leading university has expanded a successful teacher recruitment program that is advancing educational equity and tackling Australia’s worsening school workforce shortages.
La Trobe University’s Nexus program – a first-of-its-kind, employment-based pathway to teaching – enables high-performing professionals to transition from other careers while gaining practical experience in school settings.
The program is now being rolled out to primary schools across NSW, which have been struggling with staff shortages. Figures published in the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this year found that in Term 4, 2023, there were 759 full-time unfilled teaching positions in NSW public primary schools.
The expansion of the Nexus program will bring the state’s primary schools into a network of 109 partner schools in NSW and Victoria, including 35 regional schools, 34 rural schools and 40 schools in metro areas.
Building on its success in Victoria, where 94% of participants were teaching after graduating from the Nexus program, a new cohort of aspiring primary teachers will start their journey through Nexus from Term 4 in NSW schools facing critical staffing shortages.
The 90 Nexus participants across Victoria and NSW will simultaneously undertake a Master of Teaching (Primary) and receive support, mentorship and tailored instruction to address the unique teaching needs of their respective urban, regional or remote schools.
According to La Trobe’s data, 83% of Nexus participants have graduated or on track to graduate, and a significant 94% of were teaching after graduating from the program. The data also shows an overwhelming majority (82%) of graduates are teaching in schools with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value below or equal to 1000 after completing the Nexus program.
All Nexus program participants have at least an undergraduate level qualification. More than half (60%) of program participants are career changers and come from diverse careers other than teaching.
Previous fields that participants worked in include STEM-related careers like applied mathematics, science, agriculture, pharmacy and engineering (software, chemical, civil). Many also came from health and allied health services, journalism and marketing.
“Since 2020, Nexus has been instrumental in preparing educators for regional, rural and hard-to-staff school environments through its innovative approach,” La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said in a statement on Friday.
“By expanding into NSW primary schools, we are helping to ensure that every student in NSW and Victoria has equitable access to quality education, regardless of their background or location.”
La Trobe’s School of Education, led by Professor Joanna Barbousas, has been at the forefront of evidence-informed approaches that respond to workforce pressures and deliver excellence in high-needs schools.
“We are proud of Nexus’ proven track record in preparing dedicated teachers who are committed to serving and making a difference in their communities,” Professor Barbousas said. “Graduates of our Nexus program are exceptionally passionate and committed to working in schools – a huge win for students and their communities.”
Dr Elliott Child graduated from the Nexus (Secondary) program in 2022 and is one of 17 Nexus participants who has gone through Wodonga Senior Secondary College. Dr Child has remained at this school and teaches Humanities.
“Before entering secondary teaching, I was a teacher and researcher in universities in Australia and Canada and received a doctorate in Human Geography from the University of British Colombia,” Dr Child said.
“The Nexus program provided the key ingredients I needed to transition to teaching, including excellent professional mentoring, rigorous theoretical learning within a network of motivated peers and extensive classroom experience. I am proud to be a La Trobe University Mentor to emerging Nexus teachers.”