WAG Update: Workforce and Leadership
The Workforce and Leadership Working Groups met jointly for a valuable session with Deputy Secretary Anna Welynk and MOE Principle Analyst, Natalia Xie, who presented updates on national workforce data and upcoming initiatives aimed at strengthening the education workforce.
Summary of Discussion:
- Key insights were shared from the latest workforce analysis, highlighting regional pressures and progress in supporting teacher supply. The group was particularly encouraged by the proactive developments underway to address sector needs, including structured leadership pathways and targeted training support.
Key Points for Advocacy
-
Aspiring Principals Programme: Due to launch in 2026, this initiative (led by Tim White) will provide a funded pathway for experienced Deputy Principals into principalship. The APPA executive, earlier in the year, engaged with this work and will continue to support clear entry criteria and equitable access for Auckland schools.
-
SOTP (School Onsite Training Programme): In 2025, 68% of SOTP undergraduates gained employment at their placement schools. With 530 funded places opening up in 2026, students will receive $21.5k in support, and host schools will receive approximately $2k per student. The WAGS supports continued investment and expansion of this model.
-
Go Rural Isolated Placements Fund: A welcome initiative offering $4,000 grants to 123 final-year students to support rural or isolated teaching placements, helping to address workforce needs in harder-to-staff areas.
-
Demand and Supply Insights: The newly released Teacher Demand and Supply Report 2024 outlines key pressures. A more granular approach to Auckland—dividing the region into three workforce zones—is being developed to support tailored solutions.
-
Clarifying Misconceptions: While teacher attrition is real, Natalia shared data that highlights the incoming and outgoing teachers for Auckland. The data surprisingly helped to dispel the myth that large numbers are exiting for Australia.
Next Steps
-
The WAGS will continue to be responsive to the data and feedback from its members. We thank you in advance for completing future surveys. We thank Anna, Natalia, and the Ministry team for their transparency and commitment to strengthening our workforce, and look forward to progressing these collaborative efforts. We also sincerely thank Deidre Alderson, Director of Education, for her attendance and ongoing support. She affirmed her commitment to taking forward several of the questions raised during the WAG sessions and will work through Te Mahau Auckland to ensure information and updates are shared back with schools.