Page 12 - Palms-Australia-Annual-Report-2019

| Annual Report 18/19

MARKET ANALYSIS :

TEACHERS IN AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

In May 2019 Palms Australia conducted a The factor that would most likely influence

nationwide survey of teachers currently a respondent's decision to work abroad was

working in Australian Catholic schools. their family and personal situation (77%).

Over half of teachers in Australian Catholic This is not surprising considering the age of

schools have considered sharing their skills in those participating in this survey. They are in

communities abroad and almost a quarter an age group where most are either raising a

would volunteer for 12 months or more. family, supporting children through school or

university, or are aware of securing their
Respondents personal and financial situation ahead

of retirement.

486 teachers from 17 Dioceses participated

in the survey. Most (68%) were employed on Interestingly, age was a concern for several

a permanent full-time basis. Over half teachers who offered additional information.

(52%) were aged 45-64 years old. The Some believed they were too old to volunteer.

Dioceses with the highest response rates This is one misunderstanding that our future

were Perth (133) and Parramatta (132). promotions to teachers can address.

Awareness of Palms Australia
Motivations

The primary motivation for most teachers This survey follows a 2018 promotional

is to put their faith into action (31%) campaign across Australian Catholic schools

followed by a desire to contribute to global in which teachers were introduced to Palms

development (23%). Very few teachers saw through print materials distributed directly to

serving a community in need as a means to schools. When asked which international aid

explore career opportunities (2.5%) though agencies they had heard of, 30% identified

some believed the experience could help Palms Australia. Awareness of Palms was on

them grow professionally (9%). par with the Australian Volunteers program

(33%) and the United Nations Volunteer
Barriers program (34%). The best known organisation

was Teachers Across Borders, a small

Career progression was similarly not a Australian organisation connecting teachers

priority when considering potential barriers to short-term projects in Cambodia.

to working abroad. Only 30% of respondents

indicated career opportunities would be Few teachers had recalled seeing Palms

'highly likely' to influence their decision to Australia materials in their school in the

volunteer. Health, security concerns, and past 12 months. However, 12% had seen

financial situation were far more influential. Palms Australia on social media.