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systems and teaching methods I have seen
in my time are quite brilliant. There is a
level of information and system sharing
beginning to occur between some RTOs,
again a necessary development.
These methods and systems have been
created by experienced tradespeople.
People who knowwhat real world issues
our apprentices are going to face. The
more we use their real work experience
the better apprentices will be trained.
The identification of suitable
candidates that can transition from full
time tradesman to a trained teacher is a
costly process. Firstly though, we need
to communicate that this career course is
available. Teaching is not an obvious career
option for experienced tradesmen in our
industry. We need to change this.
We could articulate that it is time to
‘put back into the industry’, but this won’t
appeal to everyone. Providing a clear
career option broadly across our industry
is the first stage. In the past, moving from
tradesman might mean working for a
supplier or wholesaler. We need teaching
to be thought of in that way. New teachers
might be able to be found during periods
of redundancies. Potentially redundancy
funds could be used in the teacher
identification process.
Once trained; teachers can have a
flexible work/life balance. Hours to suit
and can be engaged on a casual basis if,
for instance, they want to continue a small
contracting business at the same time.
Maybe it is my looming ‘milestone’
birthday next year or the recent judging
of the teacher’s award, or the regular
conversations I have with executive
directors of TAFEs and RTOs around
the country discussing the shortage
of teachers that has turned my mind
to a career option for experienced
tradespeople from our industry. When
we are able to tap into the decades of
real world installation/construction/
maintenance/design experience the
next generation of tradespeople the
apprentice, the training institution
(through better completion rates) and the
employer win.
I look forward to this conversation
gaining some momentum. Then one
day the thought of teaching will be an
automatic career option for our industry
and not an afterthought.
BY
WES
MCKNIGHT