Queensland tradies are teaching the next generation in-demand skills, thanks to the state’s pilot trade-to-teach internship program.
The program offers successful applicants a $20,000 scholarship, a paid internship, and a guaranteed permanent teaching position specialising in Industrial Technology and Design in a Queensland state secondary school.
Launched in 2022, there are currently 38 participants in the pilot cohort of the program, with tradies starting their degrees this year heading to the classroom as an intern with a half teaching load from 2024.
Sunshine Coast carpenter Dion Kingi said the Trade to Teach program was a “godsend” to getting him off the tools.
“It’s been decades since I’ve done study, but I’m in the groove now. I’m studying with like-minded people who also want to teach, and the support from the program team and the university is fantastic,” said Mr Kingi.
“I highly recommend the program – the study is hard work but a different type of hard work to being on the tools all day, and I’m loving that I can still use my carpentry skills.”
After a successful pilot period, Education Minister Grace Grace has pledged another $10 million towards expanding the program, saying it was vital to building the pipeline of skilled tradies needed for Queensland’s record $89 billion “Big Build”.
“Trade to Teach attracts highly experienced tradespeople to Queensland classrooms so our students can benefit from their real-life, industry experience,” she said.
“Industrial Technology and Design subjects are in demand in our secondary schools, and this additional $10 million investment will support even more tradies to become teachers.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said it’s important that programs like Trade to Teach take a new approach to recruitment.
“It’s important … to ensure we have the right people, in the right jobs, and that’s what programs like Trade to Teach are doing,” he said.
“This program is a great example of upskilling Queenslanders to get them into good jobs, with the added benefit that they’re sharing their skills and knowledge with our future workforce.”
Eligibility requires a relevant trade qualification, Australian citizenship or permanent residency and show commitment to teach in any Queensland state school in the ITD subject area for a minimum service period.
Gympie plasterer and pilot participant Krystien Bennett encourages any tradie looking for a career change to apply.
“The internship is an amazing paid opportunity, and a chance to learn on the job which is a style I am used to,” she said.
“As a former plasterer, I’m now making the change to teaching and by doing this I hope to inspire students to be lifelong learners and show them your career can take different pathways.”
