Bairnsdale launches 'earn and learn' program to tackle skills shortage

Local aspiring educators will have a new pathway to pursue their ambitions, thanks to the launch of a new innovative teacher training program in Bairnsdale. This 'Earn and Learn' initiative is specifically designed to address teaching shortages in regional communities by providing a direct and accelerated pathway for education support staff already working in schools. 

Delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government and Federation University Australia, the program allows participants to earn a wage while they study. Students continue to work in their existing role four days a week, while dedicating one day a week to their Bachelor of Education degree studies. 

This flexible model allows individuals to stay rooted in their own communities while pursuing their qualifications. Students who complete their first year via the Bachelor of Education Studies pathway are eligible to transfer into Federation’s Bachelor of Secondary Education or Bachelor of Secondary Education (Inclusive and Special Education), enabling them to gain full teaching qualifications without leaving their local area. 

The program is a game-changer for people like Alisha Harris, a former kindergarten teacher and current education support staff member at the East Gippsland Specialist School. Alisha’s lifelong passion for education is deeply personal, stemming from her journey of raising a daughter with complex special needs. This experience has given her a profound understanding of the challenges faced by families of children with diverse learning requirements. 

"I’ve always had a passion for supporting people, and my personal life has only deepened my desire to make a difference," Harris said. "Raising a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida gave me a greater understanding of the challenges and emotions that come with having a child with special needs. This program is a perfect opportunity for me to build on my experience and finally pursue my ultimate goal of becoming a teacher who can inspire and support every child." 

Alisha’s dedication to her community is also evident in her volunteer work. She holds a board position with Generational Happiness, an organisation that supports the elderly through intergenerational activities, and is the co-ordinator of the Auskick program at the Paynesville Football Club, fostering children's social and emotional development through sport. Her unique blend of professional experience, personal understanding, and community involvement makes her an ideal candidate for this new pathway into teaching. 

The expansion into Bairnsdale builds on the successful pilot of the program in Horsham, Gippsland and the Wimmera, proving its effectiveness in building a sustainable, local teaching workforce. 

The Bairnsdale launch was marked at the Victorian Academy of Leadership and Teaching, with 50 students, school principals, staff, and local leaders in attendance to celebrate this exciting new initiative. 

For more information on this new initiative, please contact Federation University at diracop.ieac@federation.edu.au. 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll 

“Teaching is the best job there is – and through this new accelerated pathway, we’ll help Bairnsdale’s aspiring educators follow their dreams.” 

“Not only does it enable students to earn while they learn, it provides a tangible way to help address regional teacher shortages.” 

Quotes attributable to Federation University Executive Dean, Institute of Education, Arts and Community Professor Birgit Loch 

“This initiative uses the Co-op model to create a direct pathway for people who are passionate about teaching but who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to pursue it.” 

“It’s for people like Alisha Harris, who are already contributing so much to our education system and now have the chance to contribute even more.”