Names change to transition advisers

Careers advisers must agree if their role is to be changed, writes WENDY CURRIE.

When the Pathways mentors pilot was introduced a couple of years ago it involved careers advisers moving back to teaching their original subject area for half their load, while another teacher in the school took on the role of Pathways mentor for half their teaching load. At the time, Federation and the Department of Education and Training (DET) reached an agreement that this was not to happen in any school unless the careers adviser was in full agreement and there was to be no coercion.

After an internal DET evaluation of that pilot, a number of changes have been made for 2007, the most obvious of which is a change in the name to transition advisers.

It is now possible for the transition adviser program to be arranged in a number of different ways, and careers advisers going back to their teaching area is just one of them. If a school chooses to deliver this program in this way, the same restriction applies as did before -- the careers adviser must be consulted and be in full agreement to the change in their role.

It is generally expected that it will now be more likely that, if a school chooses to be part of this program, it will arrange it in some other way that does not disrupt the role and work of the careers adviser.

As is explained in information sent to schools by DET, training is to be provided and funded by the DET through the School To Work Plan. This will involve the DET paying for teacher relief for the four days of training and any travel and accommodation that is needed.

Federation does not expect there to be any problems in relation to this program, but if there is please contact your Federation Organiser.

Wendy Currie is a Research Officer.

For further information

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