The Victorian Government is partnering with three Victorian universities to provide real-life work experience to student teachers in the Wimmera, delivering a strong pipeline of skilled workers.
Minister for Education James Merlino announced a landmark agreement has been secured with Deakin, Federation and Australian Catholic Universities to provide an extra 60 placement opportunities for pre-service teachers in Horsham.
The program will provide placements of up to 25 days and builds on the partner universities’ work to date in Horsham – expanding the number of available placements and increasing focus on specialist schools and inclusive education.
A new Teaching Academy of Professional Practice will also be formed under the agreement to support schools hosting pre-service teachers – with Federation University in Horsham to become a hub for the school and university partners.
The agreement runs from July 2021 to the end of 2022, giving the partner universities an opportunity to explore long-term support networks for rural and regional teachers’ education.
The Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested $4.8 million in programs to support Victoria’s emerging teachers – including two new Teaching Academies of Professional Practice partnerships between schools and universities and further support for ten existing partnerships to be developed.
The Budget also includes a $383.8 million investment in the skills and training sector to ensure more Victorians get the training they need for in-demand jobs.
Source: Vic Government