What is Induction?

Induction is a programme of teacher education which takes place during that critical period at the beginning of the newly qualified teacher’s career, usually the first year after qualifying as a teacher. Recognising the importance of the continuum of teacher education, induction aims to develop a culture of lifelong learning in each teacher. The purpose of an induction programme is to offer systematic professional and personal support to the newly qualified teacher.

Induction and Registration as a Teacher

Participation in a programme of induction workshops is a registration requirement for all NQTs who completed their teacher education qualification in 2012 and subsequently. In addition, other teachers who applied for registration from 02 July 2012 under Regulation 2 (primary), Regulation 3 (Montessori and other categories) and Regulation 4 (post-primary including VECs)* are required to complete the induction workshop programme provided that they have not previously: 

• met the requirements of Post Qualification Employment (PQE) (post-primary)
• met the requirements of Probation (primary)
• completed an induction programme in another jurisdiction.

This means that induction is a condition of registration in the same manner as probation (primary teachers) and post-qualification experience (PQE) (post-primary teachers) are conditions of registration. Click here for more information about probation and PQE.

* The Council will consult with relevant stakeholders regarding the induction of new teachers in the Further Education sector.

National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT)

The Induction Workshop Programme is coordinated by the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) and funded by the Department of Education and Skills.

The programme consists of 12 workshops. Workshops take place in the late afternoon or evening time and each is two hours in duration. They take place in education centres and/or outreach venues around the country.

All teachers registered with the Teaching Council since July 2012 subject to the Induction Workshop Programme condition will satisfy that condition when they complete 10 workshops within three years of their date of registration. The Teaching Council, in consultation with the NIPT, and taking account of feedback received from NQTs, has changed the requirements with regard to the number of workshops NQTs must attend from 12 to 10 workshops.

When teachers have completed 10 workshops, the Education Centre Network will send verification of this to the Teaching Council. The Council will update the teacher’s record on the Register and remove the condition. There is, therefore, no need for teachers to notify the Council when they have completed ten workshops. 

The NIPT coordinates the in-school mentoring programme, to facilitate local or regional professional support groups and offers professional support to NQTs via phone and email support and through its website.

NQTs who graduated in recent years and have been awarded conditional registration (with the condition of probation being applied) will be eligible to attend the workshops, should they so wish.

Further Information

How to apply?
To apply, contact your local Education Centre. See www.ateci.ie for a list of education centres.

For full information on the content and delivery of the National Induction Programme for Teachers, see www.teacherinduction.ie.

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.