Category: Education – Teacher Workforce

Alberta teachers are conducting the province’s first-ever complete provincewide strike after overwhelming rejection of a government offer that failed to address classroom crisis conditions. With 40% of teachers facing classes of 30 to 40 students, 85% reporting increased student complexity, and wages that have risen just 3.8% over six years while cost of living jumped 21%, educators say they’ve reached a breaking point that affects quality education for all 730,000 students.

Florida reduced teacher vacancies by 30% from 2023’s peak of 7,000+ to approximately 3,000 today through increased starting salaries and alternative certification programs. Yet the state ranks 50th nationally in average teacher compensation for two consecutive years, raising questions about long-term workforce stability. With inflation-adjusted salaries down 12.9% over the past decade, Florida demonstrates both the possibilities and limitations of addressing teacher shortages without comprehensive compensation reform.

North Carolina is taking a comprehensive approach to workforce development with a new partnership providing technical assistance to integrate Registered Apprenticeship programs throughout the state’s workforce system. Following Governor Stein’s executive order, the initiative brings together workforce boards, community colleges, and national expertise to create career pathways that benefit both employers seeking skilled talent and workers pursuing economic mobility through paid training opportunities.