While the Ministry of Education believes the province is staring down a teacher shortage, officials with the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) say the situation isn’t as dire for them.
A recent ministry document suggests with retirements and student enrolment both on the rise, the shortage will start to get even worse in 2027.
But Human Resources Support Services Superintendent Darren McFarlane says recruitment is an ongoing focus for the HPEDSB.
“It’s been a Human Resources Department priority in recent years and certainly we’re maintaining the focus. I would say right now, we’re trending to have adequate numbers in place to provide support services to students. But it’s certainly something we’re keeping a mindful eye toward, for sure.”
McFarlane adds that while there may be a perception that many teachers and support staff are leaving their professions early, that is not currently a trend for the public board.
Still, they also continue to work hard to make sure their schools are places new teachers want to be.
“However, as we continue to work with our community partners, host placement teachers from local post-secondary institutions and so on and so forth, we are seeing an incredible calibre of young teachers coming through who are excited to get into the profession. And to that end, we obviously want to make connections early and try and build a future career path with them.”
McFarlane says French and Technology are always areas of focused recruitment, however, a Queen’s University program has been helping the local board address those needs.
The Multi-Session Program provides opportunities for qualified individuals to enter the education field in those programs.
“It’s essentially a learn-while-you-earn model. And so they have that in those two targeted areas which would be elementary French and then Technology.”
McFarlane says the board and Queen’s are offering information sessions on both programs this week.
“Tuesday, October the 8th at Harry J. Clarke Public School we’ll be featuring the French multi-session program information session and then the following evening at Centennial Secondary School, both of those nights beginning at 6 p.m., we’ll be featuring the technological multi-session information program.”
Representatives from Queen’s will be on hand to talk about the programs along with HPE board representatives who will speak about potential career opportunities.
McFarlane says HPEDSB is fortunate to currently have good supply of occasional teachers to meet the demand for supply teachers at its schools.
McFarlane invites anyone who is interested in joining HPEDSB to visit the board’s careers page on their website.
