New teaching qualification to bridge skills gap

Monday, 13 November 2006

New teaching qualification at MIT to bridge skills shortage gap

Aspiring teachers now have the opportunity to achieve their goals thanks to the new Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) qualification to be offered at Manukau Institute of Technology, in partnership with The University of Auckland (UoA), from 2007. The University will deliver the degree through MIT.

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) has been specifically created to offer those who want to become a secondary teacher and who already hold a degree, or its equivalent, the opportunity to study towards this goal. And, unique to this qualification, it is a two-year part time programme to enable those who are currently employed to fit the course around their commitments.

“We felt it was extremely important to offer this programme on a part time basis, spread over a longer period than is usual, as many of the students who would enrol for this programme are already employed. While many people consider a career change – or even upskilling – the prospect of studying full time can be daunting as they attempt to balance family, work and financial commitments,” says MIT Academic director, Dr Helen Anderson.

“The University of Auckland and MIT are particularly pleased to be able to offer this qualification in the Counties Manukau region as there is significant demand for teachers in this area, which is set to grow even further.”

With education being among the top three industries that offer tremendous employment opportunities in the region - according to a Manukau City Council report Manukau Future Skills Demand Projection (2004-2011) – providing qualifications of this calibre will boost the number of educators needed to match the area’s projected economic and residential growth.

The reports states that “education …[is one of the] areas where the demand for professional degrees and advanced vocational qualifications are the largest. These services are essential for the social and economic wellbeing of Manukau in the future.”

“This programme offers residents a practical opportunity to become a teacher in their local community. And with the introduction of this university programme, as well as our other educational qualifications, MIT can now offer future teachers career options across all sectors of education,” says Dr Anderson, adding that MIT offers education qualifications from early childhood through to tertiary level.

“Working in close collaboration with The University of Auckland we are now able to contribute to bridging the skills gap around education, as well as proactively planning for future demand for well-trained teachers, MIT will become a destination for those seeking a career in education.”

ENDS