Here’s a bold statement: Shetland Islands Council (SIC) is revolutionizing the way it tackles teacher shortages, and it’s working. But here’s where it gets controversial—instead of relying solely on external hires, SIC is nurturing its own talent by encouraging existing staff to become teachers. This ‘grow your own’ approach has already placed four individuals into full-time teaching roles, with two more studying secondary education and seven others expressing interest for 2026. And this is the part most people miss—this strategy isn’t just a quick fix; it’s a sustainable solution to a long-standing problem.
In January 2024, SIC announced its plan to tap into its workforce to fill vacant teaching positions, particularly in specialist subjects like technical education and home economics, which have proven notoriously difficult to staff. At a council meeting that month, Children’s Services Director Helen Budge highlighted the widespread nature of the issue, noting gaps across the entire school system, not just isolated schools. She emphasized, ‘This is a broader workforce challenge we’re addressing by inviting our staff to train with us, ensuring our schools have the teachers they need.’
The initiative’s success is evident in the numbers. Four individuals who expressed interest in 2024 are now in full-time placements, while two others are studying art and design and English, respectively, with plans for a one-day-per-week placement. Additionally, seven more aspiring teachers—four for primary and three for secondary—have shown interest in joining the program. Here’s the kicker: SIC is now exploring how to expand this model beyond children’s services and into harder-to-fill roles, even collaborating with universities to make it happen.
This approach raises a thought-provoking question: Could ‘growing your own’ teachers become a blueprint for other regions facing similar shortages? While it’s early days, SIC’s success suggests this model has potential—but it’s not without challenges. Balancing existing job roles with teacher training, for instance, requires careful planning. What do you think? Is this a sustainable solution, or does it place too much burden on current staff? Let’s discuss in the comments.
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