Special education teachers are in demand throughout New Zealand, at early childhood, primary and secondary levels.

Demand for special education teachers greatest at early childhood level

In 2007, three changes helped create a particular demand for special education teachers (called early intervention teachers) in the early childhood sector:

• New Zealand had its highest birth rate in 44 years.
• The Government brought in 20 hours a week of free education for all three and four-year-olds, resulting in higher enrolment levels for this age group.
• A nationwide newborn hearing screening programme began, meaning children’s hearing impairments are being identified at an earlier age.

Study awards available for people wanting to train as early intervention teachers

Ministry of Education study awards are available for early childhood teachers to qualify as early intervention teachers. The chances of getting work as an early intervention teacher are high following training, because the number of study awards given each year matches the number of vacancies available.

Demand likely to increase as teaching workforce ages

Special education teachers are an ageing workforce and over the next 10 years there will be an increase in demand for newly trained teachers. For example, the average age of teachers of the deaf is 53.

As the high number of 2007 newborns reach primary school age in 2012, the demand for special education teachers for this age group will increase.

Good job opportunities in specialist teaching positions

Trained primary and secondary teachers can apply for a Ministry of Education study award to do extra graduate training to qualify as a specialist teacher in one of the following areas:

• Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (working with children who have moderate learning or behaviour difficulties – 708 teachers throughout New Zealand, with an average of 45 vacancies each year).
• Resource Teacher: Vision (working with children who are visually impaired – 80 teachers, with an average of six vacancies each year).
• Resource Teacher of the Deaf (170 teachers, with an average of 12 vacancies each year).
• Specialist Teacher (working with children who have high intellectual, physical or communication impairments – 800 teachers).

The chances of getting a job as a resource teacher after finishing your training are high, because the number of study awards given each year closely matches the number of vacancies available.

State schools are the biggest employers of special education teachers, but teachers may also work in private and integrated schools.

The Government employs special education teachers to work in mainstream schools, units attached to schools, 28 special (day) schools, and eight residential special schools such as van Asche Residential School for the Deaf in Christchurch.

Special education teachers work throughout New Zealand. However, demand is strongest in Auckland, where school rolls are rising, and in rural areas, as fewer teachers wish to live in these areas.

Specialist teachers of the deaf and of visually impaired children are more likely to find work in the regions where specialist schools for these children are based, such as the van Asche School for the Deaf in Christchurch, and the Homai National School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Auckland.