Electricians, plumbers change careers, become teachers

About 30 professionals and tradespeople will enter the classroom as qualified teachers this week, as the Victorian State Government in Australia tries to plug the growing teacher shortage. While some critics have dismissed the scheme—which targets professionals working in math and science-related fields to teach in hard-to-staff state schools—as a temporary solution, many of the former scientists, plumbers, chefs, and builders argue that teaching has been the perfect career change.

Among them is 47-year-old Ken Johnsen, a former electrical fitter, who will begin his second career today at St. Alban’s Brimbank College as an electrical technology teacher. He was among a group of 30 professionals who completed a two-year course last year and are undertaking full-time teaching at schools across the state. Read about the innovative project in The Age.