Exciting news is on the horizon for aspiring educators as the Department for Education (DfE) unveils plans for a new teaching apprenticeship program set to launch in Autumn 2024. With its sights set on transforming the landscape of teacher recruitment within schools, this initiative promises to be a game-changer.
The heart of this new teaching apprenticeship program lies in its ability to provide a fresh avenue to achieve qualified teacher status, all while allowing participants to maintain their employment without the need for full-time study interruptions. This shift in approach is particularly advantageous for those already working in school environments, such as Teaching Assistants, who may not hold a degree but have invaluable experience in supporting pupils.
The proposed teacher degree apprenticeship is part of the government’s £196 million investment this academic year, aiming to get more teachers across key subjects. Eventually it will be available for people to train as primary or secondary teachers and have tuition fees fully paid for, giving trainees freedom from student debt. Accredited teacher training providers will offer the training, with trainees dedicating approximately 40% of their time to studying for their degree, over 4 years.
Initially, the DfE will launch a pilot scheme focusing on training up to 150 apprentice Secondary Maths Teachers. Recruitment for the cohort of trainees is planned to start in Autumn ’24, with their training starting the following year.
If you are looking to take your first steps on the journey to working in schools, you may want to consider the Skills Training Employment Programme for those who would like to become a Teaching Assistant. Run by Wiltshire College, this course gives you the skills and knowledge to help support teachers and learners in the classroom. We are proud to be partners of this course, supporting students secure work placements or even a permanent/casual Teaching Assistant role.
