New Initiatives Attract and Support Certified Teachers

As the new school year begins, British Columbia is ramping up efforts to ensure classrooms across the province are staffed with certified teachers.

The province is committed to bolstering its K-12 workforce through strategic recruitment and training initiatives aimed at attracting teachers to BC.

"With record numbers of newcomers moving to B.C., it's crucial that we expand our teaching workforce," said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care. "We are collaborating with education partners to enhance recruitment and retention strategies, aiming to build a sustainable K-12 workforce for years to come."

Investment in Teacher Recruitment and Training

The StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan leads these efforts with an investment of $12.5 million over three years. This year alone, nearly $4 million will be allocated to recruitment and training programs. These funds will focus on improving teacher retention, enhancing flexibility in teacher education programs, and recruiting educators for rural and remote areas.

Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, emphasized the importance of training the next generation of certified teachers, calling it the "cornerstone" of our Future Ready Action Plan.

"By making education programs more flexible, we are opening doors for more individuals to pursue teaching, filling critical positions, and providing rewarding career opportunities for British Columbians," Beare said. 

Incentives to Attract Teachers to Rural and Remote Schools

In 2023, the province launched a teacher hiring incentive program that attracted 50 new teachers to rural and remote schools.

For the upcoming school year, the program aims to hire nearly 60 additional educators. This initiative, backed by $1.5 million in provincial funding over three years, offers cash incentives of up to $10,000 for teachers willing to work in certain areas of the province. This has significantly supported hiring needs in various remote communities, including northern B.C., Vancouver Island, and the Thompson-Okanagan region.

"The Peace River North District position appealed to me for its community-focused environment. The provincial incentives have been a tremendous help in offsetting the challenges of working in a remote setting," said Kylee Campbell, a primary teacher at Upper Halfway Elementary.

Streamlining Certification and Scholarships

To further support B.C.'s educational needs, certification standards have been updated since 2023, making it easier for internationally trained educators to work in the province. The application fee was reduced from $395 to $245, resulting in a record increase in international teacher applications over the past year. Additionally, the province offers $100,000 annually in scholarships to high school students pursuing teaching careers, aiming to grow the number of local educators.

Ongoing and Upcoming Initiatives

Several other initiatives are also in progress:

  • A research project with the First Nation Education Steering Committee is gathering insights from First Nations teachers to enhance recruitment and retention practices.
  • A new provincial teacher mentorship program will launch, involving key education partners such as the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) and the BC Principals' & Vice-Principals' Association (BCPVPA).
  • An $8,000 award program will support over 30 student teachers in 2024, encouraging them to complete their practicum in northern B.C. schools, strengthening ties with rural communities.

Innovating Teacher Education Programs

The province is investing $800,000 to increase flexibility in teacher education:

  • UBC's Rural and Remote Teacher Education Program, which supported 24 students in 2022, will receive $300,000 in funding to expand to a second cohort, supporting 43 more students by 2026.
  • Additionally, $500,000 over two years will enhance hybrid and online learning options, making teacher education programs more accessible to those in remote areas.

To learn about the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, visit StrongerBC.