NSW Department of Education

Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Education have partnered to create innovative teacher-pathway programs that support school staff to upskill and move into teaching roles. Together, they’re helping address workforce needs, particularly in regional communities, through targeted and flexible training.

Who is the NSW Department of Education?

The NSW Department of Education is the state’s largest education provider, responsible for delivering public schooling, supporting teachers and school staff, and shaping policies that improve learning outcomes for students across New South Wales.

Building teaching careers through community-focused pathways

Pathways that support career progression

  • The partnership delivers two key programs:
    Collaborative Teacher’s Aide Pathway (CTAP)
    Grow Your Own – Teacher Training Program
  • More than 1,000 school support staff have already taken the next step toward becoming teachers through these pathways.
  • Programs are designed to offer flexible, tailored support so participants can balance work, family and study.

Responding to workforce and regional needs

  • These pathways show how strong industry partnerships can directly respond to teacher workforce shortages.
  • The programs focus on recruiting and training future teachers from local communities, supporting regional sustainability and long-term staffing needs.

By valuing School Learning Support Officers current contributions to the profession, allowing them to study online while continuing to work in schools, and supporting their skill development to become qualified teachers, we are seeing outstanding results in this area.

Associate Professor Libbey Murray in the Charles Sturt School of Education
Portrait of Associate Professor Libbey Murray in the Charles Sturt School of Education