CQU welcomes renewal of Trade to Teach Internship program

Queensland tradespeople have even more opportunities to progress into studying teaching at CQUniversity, with the Queensland Government expanding the Trade to Teach Internship program.

After a successful pilot program in 2022 that involved CQU, the Palaszczuk Government is set to support more tradies to become teachers.

Education Minister Grace Grace recently announced an expansion of the Trade to Teach Internship program, through an additional $10 million investment, to support qualified and experienced tradies to transition to teaching careers.

Trade to Teach offers successful applicants a $20,000 scholarship, a paid internship, and a guaranteed permanent teaching position specialising in Industrial Technology and Design in a Queensland state secondary school.

Launched in 2022, there are currently 38 participants in the pilot cohort of the program. Tradies started their education degrees this year at CQU or University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and will head to the classroom as an intern with a half teaching load from 2024. 

Successful applicants in the latest round will start their studies in 2024 and head to the classroom in 2025.

CQU Head of Course for the Bachelor of Education and the Diploma of Secondary School Teaching, Dr Corey Bloomfield, said the renewal of the Trade to Teach Internship program was a win for CQU and the trades industry.

“Last year the pilot program was very successful. Out of the 38 tradies in the pilot, CQU took on 22 and those participants have progressed into further tertiary education at CQU,” he said.

Dr Bloomfield encouraged any tradespeople looking to move into teaching to consider applying for the Trade to Teach Internship program. 

Trade to Teach Internship participant Daniel Parslow decided he needed a career change after 18 years as a fitter and turner and an electrician.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching people new things and with a young family it suits this stage of life whilst presenting a new challenge,” he said.

“My ultimate goal is to have a rewarding new career that provides a better family balance with my children.”

Daniel said the biggest incentive for tradespeople to consider joining the Trade to Teach Internship program was the guaranteed wage in years two to four of study.

“Most tradies are taking a pay cut once they are qualified so very few could afford to transition with four years of study and only part-time work, so the guaranteed wage with this program is a big-ticket item.”  

Applicants may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on their trade qualifications and relevant industry experience. 

Selection of applicants will be based on those who specialise in and are available to teach Industrial Technology and Design (ITD) subjects, including Engineering Skills, Furnishing, Building and Construction, Industrial Graphics, Industrial Technology Skills, and other materials and technologies specialisations.

Applications for the Trade to Teach Internship Program close on Monday 2 October.  Qualified tradespeople can visit the Teach Queensland website at www.qld.gov.au/tradetoteach to apply.