Were you the kid who always played the teacher during games of ‘schools’ with your friends? Or, maybe mentoring trainees or apprentices has become the part of your job you enjoy the most.
You could be tired of working long hours and weekends in your current vocation and keen to find a job that’s more flexible and family friendly.
Or maybe you’re just ready for a change, but don’t want to have to start completely from scratch in a new career.
TAFE teachers come from various industries including trades, hospitality, health, hair and beauty, community services, horticulture, early childhood education and more.
Regardless of whether they teach in a traditional classroom, virtual classroom, a trade training centre or in workplace settings, qualified trainers bring a wealth of wisdom and professionalism.
By starting a career as a vocational trainer or assessor, you’ll be able to make use of all the skills and qualifications you already have and harness them to make a real difference in the lives of your students.
Here’s how to become a TAFE teacher in four steps:
1. Decide if TAFE teaching is right for you
Before you begin the process of becoming a teacher, you’ll need to have a think about whether teaching is right for you.
As a teacher, you’ll need to be enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge, a good communicator, great at planning and organising and have the patience to help people to learn.
But most importantly, Chisholm Institute Professional Educator College team leader Joanna Boyd says the number one question to ask yourself when considering whether to become a teacher is if you believe education has the power to change people’s lives for the better.
“It has to start with what’s in your heart, what you are passionate about,” she says.
2. Gain experience and qualifications in your industry
If you’re thinking about becoming a TAFE teacher, chances are you already have some industry experience and qualifications. This is essential if you’d like to become a trainer or assessor in any Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which includes TAFEs.
Trainers and assessors must be able to demonstrate vocational competency in their teaching area. Vocational competency is defined as broad industry knowledge and experience and may include holding a relevant unit of competency or qualification.
On the job experience can be just as important as qualifications. It’s this experience that helps you to become a well-rounded and insightful teacher. You’ll be able to pass on valuable industry knowledge to your students, which will help them to succeed.
Many teachers continue to work in their vocation even after starting their education career as this helps them to keep abreast of what’s happening in their industry and ensures their skills are up-to-date.
3.Study a training and assessing course
In order to work as a vocational educator you’ll need to hold a training and assessment qualification.
Joanna says the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment , known as “the TAE” in the industry, is highly regarded.
“This qualification is really sought after by employers and it’s actually the minimum requirement that you must have to become a trainer or assessor in an RTO,” she says.
During the course you’ll learn to facilitate group-based learning programs in classrooms and workplaces, develop learning programs, provide work skill instruction, use training packages and provide adult literacy and numeracy skills support.
“Past students have told me the skills they learnt in their TAE gave them a lot of confidence in the classroom,” Joanna says. “They know how to design, deliver and assess competency based training and assessment.”
4. You’re ready to teach
Once you’ve ensured you have vocational skills and experience, as well as the training and assessment qualification, you’re ready to find a job teaching or assessing.
Joanna recommends to start networking while you’re studying the TAE. She says students are able to build connections with their fellow trainee teachers and with Chisholm staff. Some students who study the TAE at Chisholm end up staying on to become staff members.
“The day they step in the door and start the TAE the students are networking and creating opportunities for their future. I always joke ‘One day you could be my boss’,” Joanna says.
“We always say to come to your class as you would if you were the one teaching, as the TAE could be the longest interview you’ve ever had.”
Joanna says past students of the TAE have also gone on to work at privately owned RTOs, other TAFEs and as enterprise trainers or assessors.
“Vocational trainers are sought in so many areas. It can be anything from traditional trades like construction or plumbing to engineering, IT, hairdressing, health or teaching English as a second language,” Joanna says.
“There’s also a need for trainers and assessors in workplaces in organisations that are registered RTO’s and deliver accredited training.”
