No job for 86% of trainee teachers

Published on Friday 21 August 2009 22:03

ONLY one in seven of last year's trainee teachers have found a permanent job this year, according to new research.

Just 477 of 3,153 have secured a permanent teaching role, while some local authorities were unable to give any a job.

Last year, one in five found a permanent job, and in 2007 one in three managed to get a post.

Three education authorities – Glasgow, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire – did not manage to give any of their 424 probationers a permanent post.

Council education leaders blamed a lack of money amid suggestions the recession might be causing a fall in the expected number of retirements, as older teachers stay on.

The research, conducted by the Times Educational Supplement Scotland, found none of Scotland's 32 councils were able to find jobs for more than 44 per cent of their probationers.

And the problem is worse for primary teachers, with less than 11 per cent finding permanent jobs, compared to secondary teachers, of whom more than 20 per cent secured long-term employment.

John Stodter, general secretary of the Association of Directors of Education,

said: "Local authorities have been struggling within their tight budget settlement, with a lot of demands contained in the concordat. They are beginning to feel the pressure."

Mr Stodter said a cash injection from central government could help councils allow older teachers to take early retirement and free up jobs.

He added: "If we have these fully qualified and enthusiastic teachers, we should be using them."

And he agreed the recession could be having an effect.

"There is some evidence of a slight reduction in the number of retiring teachers but it's too early to say that is definitely an effect of the recession."

Currently, after leaving teaching training courses at university, successful graduates become probationers for a year, during which they are guaranteed jobs.

After that year, if they pass, they become fully registered teachers, but are no longer guaranteed employment and many are forced to take temporary posts or become unemployed as the new crop of probationers must be found jobs.

A previous survey carried out by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, published in June, showed only 39.5 per cent of the 2007-8 probationers were in permanent jobs in April this year.

A Scottish Government spokesman said recruitment was expected to pick up this month now schools have returned for the autumn term and councils adjust staff numbers.

He said: "We wouldn't expect every probationer to have a job at the start of the school term as vacancies arise throughout the year."