Overview of Education, Child Care and Training Education as a profession involves teaching others either general or specialised subjects, and assessing the results. However, education is a large study area, which can be broken down into smaller categories. Should you choose to study education at university, you can decide between becoming a childcare provider, to an early childhood teacher, to primary teaching, to secondary teaching, to special needs teaching, or even vocational teaching.

Studying Education, Child Care and Training

In order to become a qualified primary, secondary, special education or early childhood teacher, you have two study options at university.

You can either undertake a four-year double-degree programme, which covers both an academic subject and a teacher qualification, or you can complete an undergraduate degree followed by a one or two-year postgraduate teacher education course.

However, before you consider studying education, it is often a requirement in different educational courses to have passed certain subjects at school. Therefore it is important to confirm that you have passed the prerequisites that are involved with your area of interest.

Once you have finished your degree, you must register with a board or department of teaching in your relevant state, in order to progress on to a career in education.

Careers in Education, Child Care and Training

Secondary school teachers are needed in many subjects across Australia, although the subjects most in demand are: mathematics, general science, physics, languages other than English (especially Indonesian, Italian, French Japanese and German), IT and technology.

Demand for teachers will vary state to state, as will salary.

Early childhood and primary teaching involve teaching younger children general skills, as well as developing their interests and abilities through a range of activities.

Graduates could also choose to specialise as a school counsellor or special educator, or take a specialist or management role within an institution.

Those seeking a career in education could also consider vocational training or becoming a careers adviser.

Skills needed in Education, Child Care and Training

All education jobs require the teacher to prepare lesson plans which adhere to curriculum requirements. However, teachers also perform many other roles, including encouraging good behavior in children, as well as assessing and evaluating student work.

Teachers should also have good interpersonal skills, as they have regular contact with parents and peers in regards to their students' progress.

More information

Early Childhood Teaching

Primary Teaching

School Principal

Secondary Teaching

Special Needs Teaching

Vocational Teaching

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