The Career Clusters in a school

February 16, 2023

Schools employ more people than just teachers – learn about the kinds of roles you can find in this Workplace Spotlight.

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We spend a large part of our lives in schools as students – but have you thought about what it might be like on the other side to work at a school?

Schools exist to educate young people, but they need more than just teachers to function. There are lots of people who work hard behind the scenes, writing curriculum, coming up with new subject content, managing timetables and enrolments, liaising with parents, and keeping track of finances.

Here are some common things you can expect to find at all schools:

Working with others – there are very few times you’ll find yourself working alone in a school, whether you’re teaching students or collaborating with your co-workers in the office.
Lots of change – schools are dynamic environments, and you’ll likely have to wear several hats no matter what your role is.
A high energy environment – there are always lots of things happening and plenty of work to be done.

Key Outcome – educate and inspire students

The main focus of schools is to provide quality education for young people and prepare them for the world of work. They also provide a place for young people to make friends and grow emotionally.

Key Tasks –

Teach, guide, and supervise students
Write curriculum and assessment
Manage enrolments and timetables
Develop new ways of teaching and learning

Industry – you can find schools in the education industry

Schools are exclusively found in the education industry. There are lots of different kinds of schools, including public, private, religious, independent, and even distance schools. They also have a lot in common with other education institutions, like universities and vocational training institutes.

Work Environment

You can expect regular hours and on-site work

Regular work hours | Work on-site | Jobs in all locations, including metro, regional, and rural | Strong job growth

Schools are usually open over the same set hours each day, and only during weekdays. Term dates and holidays are fixed each year, so you will know exactly when you need to come in to work. However, some workers (particularly teachers) may need to do work outside these regular hours.

For most people in schools, work either must be done on-site, or is easier to do on-site.

There are schools all across the country, from big cities to rural towns. While there are lots of opportunities in metropolitan areas, sometimes regional and rural schools struggle to fill vacant roles, so you might find it less competitive to find work in these areas.

The Career Clusters you’ll find in a school

People from all Clusters are needed for a school to run effectively, but the most common Clusters you’ll find are Informers, Coordinators and Linkers.

The Makers are the people responsible for maintaining the safety and cleanliness of a school, from mopping floors to repairing broken equipment. With the integration of technology in classrooms, they’re also essential for installing IT systems and keeping them running smoothly.

The Linkers in schools are responsible for processing student enrolments, as well as keeping parents and the public informed about the things happening at the school. They can also work in reception, answering phone calls and managing appointments.

Coordinators are the people who tend to work behind the scenes in schools. They’re responsible for things like organising timetables and assigning students and teachers to classes, managing budgets and funding, and delegating tasks and responsibilities amongst teams.

The main Informers in schools are the teachers, whose role is to educate and guide students of all ages in many different subjects. They can also work as Librarians, helping students to find the information they need, and as Careers Advisors, providing guidance on options after finishing school.

The Innovators in schools are the people writing curriculum and assessment, and developing new programs and subjects. They might also write textbooks and resources used by teachers to deliver subjects to students, or develop software that can be used for educational purposes.

Guardians in schools are tasked with looking after students outside of school hours, or treating minor injuries and illnesses. They might also provide support to teachers and assist students who have special needs.

How do we expect working in a school to change in the future?

COVID created huge disruptions for schooling, with nearly every school across the country needing to shift to online learning. This experience provided many schools with the knowledge and flexibility to deliver classes and content remotely, which is becoming more and more common as the technology improves.

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have also caused some concern amongst educators – but they also prove to be an opportunity to enhance the way students learn. It is likely that schools will need to adapt to AI becoming more accessible, and change the way they deliver content and assess students.

It is unlikely that we will see schools go completely digital anytime in the foreseeable future. They still provide a valuable space for students to interact and socialise face-to-face, and having direct contact with teachers is important for learning.