Western Sydney University is proud to partner on the Grow Your Own Teacher Training Program – a new initiative to attract Student Learning Support Officers (SLSO) to become qualified primary and secondary teachers in regional and rural Australia and high-demand metropolitan areas.
A collaboration between the NSW Department of Education, Western Sydney University and Charles Sturt University, the innovative program will initially support up to 100 School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) to upskill and study teaching degrees while working in local schools to support students.
Professor Michele Simons, Dean of the School of Education at Western Sydney University, said the pilot program would help grow the regional and rural teaching workforce.
"Western Sydney University is pleased to partner on the Grow Your Own Teacher Training Program that will encourage and support community members living in rural and regional areas to explore a rewarding career in teaching," said Professor Simons.
"Through the pilot program, School Learning Support Officers will be able to take advantage of the University's high-quality and flexible pathways to take the next steps in their teaching careers, while carrying out their important work in our schools."
Participants of the program will commence their studies in early 2023 and remain employed as an SLSO in their current school while studying.
They will receive $10,000 training allowance per year (up to $30,000 for the degree) and can work part-time as an educational paraprofessional in their final four semesters of study.
Applications for the program opened this week, with a focus on rural, regional schools and high-demand metropolitan areas.
