Go west, young teacher: B.C. schools angling for recruits in Ottawa

Wanted: eager young teachers looking for full-time work ina mild climate, surrounded by picture postcard scenery.

That's the tantalizing pitch recruiters from British Columbia's school boards are making to students inthe University of Ottawa's teacher educationprogram.

"We're here because British Columbia is experiencing a shortage of teachers," said ParmjitHari, adistrict principal in Burnaby, B.C.

Hari was in Ottawa Wednesday to attend a job fair for students who will graduate this Apriland she's ready to offer the newly minted teachersopportunities to get right down to work.

B.C.'s recruiting drive has switched into high gear following a decision by the province's Supreme Court that restored school funding and limited class sizes.

Teachers consider heading west

8 years ago

Duration 0:39

School boards from British Columbia are trying to woo Ontario teachers west, and some of those attending a recruitment fair in Ottawa are enthusiastic about their pitch.

"That's openedup a lot of teaching job opportunities in B.C., and especially in Vancouver, " saidRanjitBains,principal atKitsilanoSecondary School in Vancouver.

There are currently 34 vacant positions in Vancouver, with another 100 expected in September, Bains said.

Then Bains brought upthe natural lure of the West Coast.

"Of course we have the beauty."

Openings at all levels

Recruiters say there are job openings for teachers from kindergarten through high school, but there's an acute need for French language instructors.

"Our number 1 priority is to hire French immersion teachers," saidSean Powell,principal of the Greater Victoria School District.

"We're having trouble filling those positions every year."

Judging by the reaction among soon-to-be educators who dropped by the job fair, the pitch is working.

"I got pretty excited about it," said Devon Sutherland, who hopes to teach kindergarten and junior grades.

"I've only been to B.C. once but I really loved it, loved the mountains and the outdoors so I am pretty interested to check that out."

Student Nathan Wheeler saidhe, too, is ready to make the move.

"The living out there is superbThat's why I really want to go out there."

Few teaching jobs in Ontario

Graduates of Ontario teaching programshave faced a hard time securingjobs close to home.

According to a report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, too many students have been trained for too fewjobs, raising the unemployment rate among new teachersto morethan 20 per cent in 2013.

The high cost of rent, especially in Vancouver, was the one common concerns expressed by students at the job fair.

The B.C.school boards are offering moving expenses to sweeten the pot, but still advisenew recruits toreduce living costs by sharing a residence when they arrive.

Despite that one drawback, Bains said she can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to move to Vancouver.

"I've been here for two days and have been experiencing this cold and snow," she said.

"[In B.C.] we definitely experience some rain, but that milder climate, you can't beat it."

Ranjit Baines says B.C. needs teachers

7 years ago

Duration 0:44

"That's opened up a lot of jobs all across B.C."