Paid internships for student teachers

A select group of Melbourne University students will soon be able to undertake paid part-time working hours in the classroom whilst completing their teaching degrees. Based on the paid intern model already used by university medical faculties across the country, the program is designed to provide a more supportive opportunity for prospective teachers who are unable to give up work whilst studying full time. The course’s first cohort is to be selected carefully based on a range of factors, including a demonstrated aptitude for teaching as well as literacy and numeracy. Candidates would then be assessed as to whether they would be suitable for teaching vacancies, predominantly in mathematics, science and languages – subject areas experiencing significant workforce shortages. Students completing the program will graduate with a master of teaching (secondary) internship. Melbourne University acting vice-chancellor Margaret Sheil said she believed the model would mirror the successes of similar paid internship pathways. “We have implemented industry-engaged courses like this one across the University of Melbourne as part of our strategy to be responsive both to the needs of students and the needs of the sectors in which they will ultimately seek employment,” Sheil said. The first cohort under the new model is set to commence this November. The course launch follows recent debate over the availability of student teaching placements. The increase in teaching students is placing growing pressure on schools to accommodate supervised training.