Wider Workforce
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There is clear evidence that the quality of the workforce is a major factor driving in the quality of schools and early childhood services. Excellent service provision can only happen when the right people are attracted, recruited and supported to do their jobs as effectively as possible. The Wider Workforce Field Trial stimulated thinking and captured current and potential “next practices” in relation to school workforce remodelling. It explored models for teachers to work with other professionals and para-professionals to deliver a wider range of learning experiences and allow teachers to focus on the areas where they have unique skills. Participating schools and clusters developed Change Team to support the initiative at the school and cluster level. |
Video: New Ways of Working in Victorian Schools (62.2 MB) |
Involvement in the Wider Workforce Field Trial included resources and support for:
- Accessing experts beyond education
- Stimulating futures thinking
- Innovation and change leadership
- Testing and evaluating innovative processes and practices
- Professional learning and capacity building for site participants
- Capturing and dissemination of Field Trial findings
The Wider Workforce Field Trial investigated innovative and sustainable models of workforce organisation which increase workforce capacity to improve student outcomes, including models of employment of para-professionals, teacher assistants, and experts from local communities, business, university and government agencies.
Wider Workforce Research Question
Framed by the wider workforce perspective outlined above, the research question for all schools and clusters was:
How do schools and their communities access, organise and utilise a wider workforce to improve teacher effectiveness?
Individual site and cluster responses to this research question were a key aspect of the project planning process.