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Volusia expands recruitment, apprenticeship pathways and new-teacher supports to close staffing gaps
Summary
HR leaders described full-year recruitment, a Volusia associate teacher substitute apprenticeship (VATS), New Teacher Academy and certification supports as steps to reduce vacancies and grow internal talent.
Volusia County School District human resources leaders presented recruiting and retention initiatives at the Aug. 12 workshop aimed at reducing vacancies and building a local teacher pipeline. HR described year-round hiring, partnerships with colleges and staffing vendors, a new Volusia Associate Teacher Substitute (VATS) cohort and expanded pathways for paraprofessionals and interns to become certified teachers. Tiffany Workman, executive director for human resources, and recruitment coordinator Miss Fuller said the district shifted hiring from a seasonally focused effort to ongoing recruitment. Fuller described the VATS initiative as a local adaptation of state apprenticeship models: paraprofessionals, substitutes and other staff are being offered paid pathways and partnerships with colleges to pursue certification while working in district classrooms. Workman highlighted other supports aimed at retaining teachers: an expanded New Teacher Academy with weekly in-person onboarding, robust mentor training, classroom-management "showcase" trainings highly rated by participants and certification assistance through a vendor (Learning Liaison) to help candidates complete credential requirements. Human Resources officials provided application and hire figures: the office processed roughly 11,000 applications across all positions this recruitment cycle and reported hiring in the range of 800 to 900 people. Workman said HR staffing levels have shifted and the HR team now operates with roughly 24 staff (28 previously, excluding payroll responsibilities). Why it matters: Officials said the combination of grow-your-own pathways, paid internship/apprenticeship models and on-site mentoring aims to address persistent shortages in critical areas such as special education, bus drivers and other operational roles. Board members praised the VATS and internship examples that produced immediate classroom placements on the opening days of the school year.
