3/3/2006

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Jane Davidson has today announced increased funding to support employment-based routes into teaching in 2006-07.

Jane Davidson said: "The Assembly Government recognises the value of alternative routes into teaching. Our employment based routes enable maintained schools to employ trainee teachers who are not yet qualified and to support them through an individual training programme leading to Qualified Teacher Status.

"For 2006-07 I am increasing the funding which supports salary and training costs. We will be providing financial support of up to £17,650 for at least 45 approved places in priority recruitment subjects. This support is part of the broad package of measures from the Welsh Assembly Government to help make teaching an attractive career option.

"I also want to ensure that the best use is made of the support
available, and that it will be focussed on areas where teachers are most needed. We will further improving the targeting for the scheme to focus it on priority secondary subjects. In line with our initial teacher training incentives, I am also expanding the range of priority secondary subjects to include music and religious education."

Employment-based training programmes suit mature, well qualified people who can quickly begin to take on teaching responsibilities and who need to earn a living while they train. Many already have relevant experience in other sectors or in a support role in a school. An increasing number are people looking for a career change who want to move into teaching. The flexibility of the programmes also opens the teaching profession up to those whose domestic arrangements or location prevents them from undertaking traditional initial teacher training courses at higher education institutions.

At present, the key recruitment areas are in secondary education. Applications for those training in mathematics, science, modern foreign languages, ICT design and technology, Welsh, English (including drama) music and religious education will be given priority.