A new online jobs portal is helping NSW private schools recruit quality teachers and address the sector’s workforce shortages.
The recruitED platform, created by the state’s peak private schools body – The Association of Independent Schools NSW – allows jobseekers to search by location, job titles, keywords, and categories, and apply directly to the Independent school advertising the role.
Acting AISNSW Chief Executive, David Buley, said the service comes at a time when all school sectors are vying for quality staff in a tough job market.
“In 2024, as is the case across all education sectors, NSW Independent schools continue to experience workforce challenges due in part to heightened competition for skilled educators and a need to replace experienced teachers approaching retirement,” Buley told The Educator.
“Independent schools are rising to meet these challenges with resilience and innovation while student enrolments steadily increase. They are attracting specialists and leaders who can contribute to their success. By embracing solutions like our new AISNSW recruitED service, schools ensure they have access to a platform designed to support recruitment needs and strengthen their workforce.”
Buley says the recruitED service will stand out as “the go-to platform” for NSW Independent schools by offering a tailored recruitment experience that reflects the sector's unique needs.
“Unlike generic job boards, the recruitED service is specifically designed for Independent education, providing direct access to high-quality candidates who are familiar with the ethos and culture of these schools,” he said.
“With its user-friendly interface, schools can easily create, edit, and manage job advertisements, making the process streamlined and efficient.”
Buley said the service also promotes job opportunities to a targeted talent pool, ensuring that schools connect with high-quality candidates.
“As a key benefit of AISNSW membership, the recruitED service is offered at no additional charge, further enhancing its value as a recruitment tool that aligns with the sector’s needs and goals,” he said.
“For candidates, the recruitED service is the one place where they will find the full suite of job opportunities that are available in independent schools across NSW and the ACT.”
To further strengthen their workforce beyond the recruitED service, NSW Independent schools adopt an approach that focuses on teacher retention, said Buley.
“They emphasise wellbeing, workload balance, and career development for current staff. Building on these strengths, expanding mentoring and graduate programs for early-career teachers will also help attract new talent, while robust professional learning initiatives will foster long-term engagement,” he said.
“With AISNSW’s Workforce Lifecycle resources in development and partnerships with universities to cultivate teacher supply pipelines, schools are actively promoting teaching as a fulfilling career choice, helping to ensure a sustainable workforce for 2025 and beyond.”