Skilled professionals with a genuine desire to begin a teaching career will be able to achieve that goal after just 18 months of study as opposed to the normal four years, under a new program being offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU).

Under an agreement with the Department of Education and Training (DET), CSU will provide accelerated teacher education for people with TAFE or industry qualifications and experience. The students will graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies). 

CSU’s Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Bob Meyenn, said the accelerated teacher education  program would encourage more people to move into the profession.

"This accelerated TAS program is a new and exciting initiative and further develops the partnership the University has with the DET", Professor Meyenn said.

"There is a critical shortage of TAS teachers at present and this program will help to alleviate that shortage. These students will also  bring skills and experiences which will be of great benefit to secondary schools in NSW."

The program will be studied over 18 months, with the first 12 months taught by distance education, enabling students to begin their career changes without disruption to personal life.

Teacher trainees will spend their final semester based at a school, during which they will be teaching students, with support provided by a mentor program.

The accelerated teacher education programs are being introduced at a challenging time for the profession, with critical teacher shortages being experienced in many countries including the UK, Canada, New Zealand and the USA.

For further information about the accelerated teacher training program, contact DET on 1300 300 724.