There’s a shortage of trades teachers in Delta.
At last week’s Delta board of education meeting, trustees agreed to send a letter to the province, including Delta MLAs Ian Paton and Ravi Kahlon, outlining the growing issue of a lack of shop teachers.
Noting Delta has had to close shop classes due to a lack of teaching staff, board chair Laura Dixon said many teachers are retiring, creating a shortage that’s made all the more challenging because only BCIT provides the necessary trades and technical training.
Those who want to become teachers must then take a two-year certificate program at UBC, all the while they could be making money elsewhere, she said.
“It’s doing a disservice to students and staff. This is a province-wide issue,” she said.
Dixon said the province needs to get engaged with other stakeholders to find a solution, which could include establishing additional training centres.
The letter notes a significant theme of Kahlon’s recent presentation to the Delta Chamber of Commerce was the economic strength of sectors that employ British Columbians in trades, technical and vocational careers. It states the Delta district understands that opportunities for students to gain exposure and training in these areas while enrolled in K-12 is a key to preparing for entry into such jobs.
“Yet, there is a significant gap in our ability to connect students with the careers of the future. Our school district is unable to hire the specialist teachers needed to support our students’ access due to a province-wide shortage of qualified technology education teachers. In fact, we have had to close some shop classrooms in Delta because of our inability to find qualified candidates…” the letter states.
B.C.’s new curriculum includes applied design, skills and technology content beginning in kindergarten.
“Our teachers are now using these skills with their students. When these students begin Grade 8 they will have greater proficiency and interest in continuing with these skills-based courses and, accordingly, there will be an even greater demand for courses in technical education,” the board stated.
