Media release
New research from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has identified growing demands on VET teachers and delivered practical resources to help teachers and training providers respond to changing learner needs.
The report, Strengthening teaching practice and psychosocial support, examines the challenges VET teachers face and the organisational supports, resources and systems needed to strengthen teaching practice.
The research found that around two-thirds of surveyed teachers reported student behaviour had become more challenging since they began teaching. Further, more than three quarters of teachers reported that the learning of students experiencing psychosocial challenges was disrupted at least weekly.
Teachers identified the importance of organisational support, leadership, staffing, specialist services and access to resources in enabling effective teaching and learner support.
NCVER Managing Director John King said better supported teachers are critical to improving learner outcomes across the VET sector.
‘VET teachers are responding to a broad range of learners’ educational, behavioural and wellbeing needs, alongside significant compliance and administrative responsibilities.’
‘The research shows that strengthening teaching practice requires both individual capability and the support, resources and conditions teachers need to respond to increasingly complex learning environments.’
‘The sector already understands many of the approaches that support teacher capability and learner success. The challenge is embedding them consistently in the VET system.’
The project has delivered a suite of practical resources to help teachers and training providers put the research findings into practice.
A key resource is a new psychosocial support cycle, which helps teachers recognise, respond to, refer and support learners experiencing psychosocial challenges while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Additional resources include:
- a practice guide for training providers supporting learner and teacher wellbeing
- resources to support the recognition and management of learner support needs
- guidance and tools for supporting novice teachers
- resources to support educator mindset development
- practical guidance to support the implementation of professional learning.
Background: Emerging from the National VET Workforce Blueprint, this project explored the preparedness of teachers for contemporary VET roles, the adequacy of initial teacher training and the ongoing development of teaching capability.
Download the report and additional resources: Strengthening teaching practice and psychosocial support
Enquiries: Elise Stone P: +61 8 8230 8443 E: communications@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: NCVER is Australia’s custodian of vocational education and training (VET) data. We deliver trusted data and insights that help the VET system work better for people, businesses and communities.