Australian Catholic University has launched its new All Points to Teaching program designed to boost employment-based pathways and access to fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate teaching degrees.
Already Australia’s largest provider of initial teacher education, ACU’s APTT program will award an extra 285 students with scholarships to complete a Bachelor of Education (Secondary or Secondary and Special Education) or a Master of Teaching (Secondary) while working in schools across New South Wales and Queensland.
The APTT program is being funded by an $11.6 million federal Government Department of Education High Achieving Teacher Program grant and a $5.5 million commitment from ACU.
ACU vice-chancellor and president Zlatko Skrbis said the APTT partnership between the university and the Government was a testament to ACU’s industry-leading reputation.
“We have long been leaders in educating high-quality teachers across the country and our new APTT program will further cement this tradition of delivering more 21st Century educators for 21st Century learners,” Professor Skrbis said.
ACU executive dean of education and arts Mary Ryan said the APTT program was a game changer for the teaching profession, particularly in the face of ongoing workforce shortages.
“Our APTT program is designed to connect low socio-economic and hard-to-staff schools, secondary students, and future teachers together from the get-go,” Professor Ryan said.
“The APTT cohort will be placed in schools most in need from the outset while they study their degrees and receive support from the intensive wraparound scaffolds required for their success and career longevity.”
The fully funded APTT program will start next year with 285 students undertaking the new employment-based pathways between 2025 and 2031.
While they study, students will be paid to work in government, independent, and Catholic secondary schools as teacher aides, school learning support officers and paraprofessionals. In their final year, they will work as teacher interns.
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$17m ACU program points new teachers in right direction (ACU)
