Who Will Teach That Class? Perspectives on Teacher Shortages from English and Australian Vocational Education and Training Sectors

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Who Will Teach That Class? Perspectives on Teacher Shortages from English and Australian Vocational Education and Training Sectors
Language: English
Authors: Louise Misselke (ORCID 0000-0002-3111-1024), Teressa Schmidt (ORCID 0000-0001-6459-7721), Sonal Nakar (ORCID 0000-0001-7245-1669), Sardana Islam Khan (ORCID 0000-0001-8807-3121)
Source: Education & Training. 2026 68(4):453-467.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Career and Technical Education Teachers, Educational Policy, Educational Practices, Teacher Recruitment, Teacher Shortage, Teacher Persistence, Teacher Supply and Demand, Global Approach, Barriers
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England), Australia
DOI: 10.1108/ET-03-2024-0128
ISSN: 0040-0912
1758-6127
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of contemporary perspectives, policies, and practices relating to reported vocational education and training (VET) teacher recruitment and retention challenges, with a particular focus on England and Australia. Design/methodology/approach: This position piece discusses the topic from a transnational perspective by reviewing the relevant literature and examining the impact of policies and practices in England and Australia. Findings: The paper finds that there is a paucity of empirical research relating to VET teacher shortages, but that globally, experience in the sector suggests there are challenges in recruiting and retaining the qualified VET teaching workforce required to address current and future training needs. It recommends that further research is undertaken with an international approach to better understand the problem from the perspective of VET teachers, leaders, and education institutions, and to identify potential solutions. Research limitations/implications: The paper does not report on empirical research but suggests that further studies are required to better understand the problem and identify potential solutions based on the respective socioeconomic, demographic, and policy contexts. Originality/value: While there are studies examining VET and VET teaching from the perspectives of quality, reputation, and esteem, few examine the issue and impact of VET teacher shortages, or the challenges of VET teacher recruitment and retention in the contemporary and comparable contexts of Australia and England.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506090
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of contemporary perspectives, policies, and practices relating to reported vocational education and training (VET) teacher recruitment and retention challenges, with a particular focus on England and Australia. Design/methodology/approach: This position piece discusses the topic from a transnational perspective by reviewing the relevant literature and examining the impact of policies and practices in England and Australia. Findings: The paper finds that there is a paucity of empirical research relating to VET teacher shortages, but that globally, experience in the sector suggests there are challenges in recruiting and retaining the qualified VET teaching workforce required to address current and future training needs. It recommends that further research is undertaken with an international approach to better understand the problem from the perspective of VET teachers, leaders, and education institutions, and to identify potential solutions. Research limitations/implications: The paper does not report on empirical research but suggests that further studies are required to better understand the problem and identify potential solutions based on the respective socioeconomic, demographic, and policy contexts. Originality/value: While there are studies examining VET and VET teaching from the perspectives of quality, reputation, and esteem, few examine the issue and impact of VET teacher shortages, or the challenges of VET teacher recruitment and retention in the contemporary and comparable contexts of Australia and England.
ISSN:0040-0912
1758-6127
DOI:10.1108/ET-03-2024-0128