One of the major challenges facing physics education internationally is the shortage of qualified physics teachers at the second level. This study discusses the design and implementation of a professional learning programme to upskill in-service second-level teachers to gain qualification as physics teachers. The programme design is informed by international research and practices and incorporates principles that are fundamental to effective physics teacher education, i.e., strong physics knowledge is essential for good teaching, and teachers carrying out a practitioner inquiry on their own practice as part of a professional learning community will enhance their content knowledge for teaching physics. An overview of 54 participating teachers’ prior teaching experiences, classroom and reflective practices, is presented. This profile provides invaluable insights into teachers’ beliefs and practices when they start the programme and what are their current needs. Further studies will examine the influence of this upskilling programme on teachers’ confidence and competence for teaching physics as well as the influence on their broader beliefs and practices.