Transitioning from tradie to teacher

A successful pilot program that helps tradies retrain as teachers is being expanded by the Queensland Government.

The Trade to Teach 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. Tradies started their education degrees this year and will head to the classroom as an intern with a half teaching load from 2024. Successful applicants in this round will start their studies in 2024 and head to the classroom in 2025.

“Trade to Teach attracts highly experienced tradespeople to Queensland classrooms so our students can benefit from their real-life industry experience,” said Grace Grace, Education Minister.

“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.”

“For tradies looking for a career change, I encourage you to consider a career in teaching,” said Krystien Bennett, a plasterer from Gympie who participated in the program.

“The internship is an amazing paid opportunity and a chance to learn on the job, which is a style I am used to.

“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.”

The program is being delivered in partnership with the Central Queensland University and the University of Southern Queensland.

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