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By Caden Fanshaw

Teaching Shortage

UNBC teaching grads a hot commodity as teaching shortage continues

Jul 7, 2023 | 4:59 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — After they graduate, grads from the University of Northern BC’s Education Program don’t go very long before being employed.

With School District 57 and a few other districts in Northern BC in the midst of a teaching shortage graduates can find employment immediately following their practicum.

“I made a remark in one of my classes earlier in the year that you should expect to be recruited towards the end of your final practicum and expect to be working the day after practicum,” said Glen Thielmann, UNBC Lecturer for the School of Education. “They thought I was joking, but I gave them some evidence over the last two years that was exactly the case, that almost all of our graduates that want employment in our district get it immediately after practicum.”

Thielmann said a large percentage of the grads stay local, 80-90% remain in SD57 post-grad and others mostly spread throughout Northern BC.

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According to the longtime educator, the current gaps just aren’t able to be filled all at once but the shortage will likely come to an end in the next few years.

Daryl Beauregard, President for the PG District Teachers Association said in the meantime the district is forced to put unqualified teachers in front of SD57 students to keep classrooms open. Beauregard said roughly 20 unqualified teachers were given full-time contracts during the last school year.

The union leader called on the BC government to step up and help address local challenges to fill the teaching gaps, adding it can be done.

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Twitter: @CadenFanshaw

Email: Caden.Fanshaw@pattisonmedia.com