Progress has already been made in the Government's drive to get more teachers into classrooms. During the current academic year, more than 29,000 people are expected to begin teacher training on undergraduate and postgraduate courses- the highest number for seven years. More people are now applying to become teachers than at any time since 1995, and applications to Initial Teacher Training (ITT) have risen for the third year running - up around 20% on this time last year.

The TTA today set out how it intends to fill the increased number of training places available this September which have risen by almost six per cent, to 32,000.

Setting out the TTA's objectives for the next three years to 2005, the Corporate Plan outlines how the agency intends to recruit the teachers needed to enhance an active and balanced school workforce. Key targets include:

· recruiting 20 per cent more men to primary school teacher training by September 2002
· extending the target number of trainees recruited from minority ethnic backgrounds from seven per cent (reached this year), to nine per cent by 2005
· increasing to three per cent the number of trainees with disabilities to ITT
· expanding by 20 per cent the number of people registered with the Keeping in Touch programme, which encourages those who have taken a break from teaching to return.

The next stage of the highly successful 'Those who can, teach' advertising campaign is to be rolled out next month, with a new advert appearing on television and in cinemas from the 16th May. There will also be strategically targeted press advertising, more advertising in tube stations and bus sides, and ambient media such as cinema tickets, sandwich bags, beer mats, and postcards. Traffic to the Agency's Teach website increased from 33,019 unique user sessions (individual hits) in April 2001 to an average of 148,830 monthly unique user sessions for the first three months of this year. The site is being redeveloped and will be re-launched in May 2002.

Those interested in taking up teaching can now apply online. The new service has been launched by the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) and the TTA and helps streamline applications for entry to the 2002 Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE).

In a move to level out regional inconsistencies in recruitment, the Agency will be giving training providers a greater role in planning local communication strategies. Local initiatives will also include a London scheme to introduce short courses, which boost applicants' knowledge and skills, thereby enabling providers to recruit from a wider base of potential trainees.

The TTA is piloting an undergraduate credits initiative - which allows undergraduates who are not taking education degrees to gain early experience of teaching - designed to attract potential teacher trainees earlier from a broader range of graduates.

In addition, the agency is focusing on new ways of encouraging people from other professions to move over to teaching, offering career guidance, taster courses and ongoing 'customer' support. Recognising the importance of providing career-changers with alternative routes into teaching, the TTA also plans to expand the 'train-while-you-earn' Graduate Teacher Programme.
Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of the TTA, said:

'We are competing aggressively to attract quality trainees to teaching. We need to use targeted advertising and the best of web recruitment practice. We know that we are operating alongside industry in a dynamic and competitive environment, and we need to reach new audiences among returning teachers and career changers. Every teacher training place is crucial and we are determined to improve recruitment year on year.'

'It has been an encouraging year for recruitment. Whilst we are never complacent, I'm confident that the strategy that we have embarked on is the right one to bring the next generation of quality recruits to teacher training into the profession.'

School Standards Minister Stephen Timms said:

'I commend the innovative approaches that the TTA has taken in recruiting able and committed trainees into the profession. The Agency has tough targets but also the strategy and vision to carry forward these objectives and has every reason to look forward with confidence.'

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The full corporate plan for 2002- 2005 can be found on the TTA's website
http://www.canteach.gov.uk/about/corp-op-plan/index.htm

Key speakers at today's Corporate Plan launch include:

· Schools Standards Minister, Stephen Timms MP
· TTA Chief Executive, Ralph Tabberer
· Chairman of the General Teaching Council for England, Lord Puttnam

The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training and induction.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
TTA Press Office Tel: 0207 925 3855/3735. Out of hours 07771 934629.
email: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 0207 925 3700
Prospective applicants to the Graduate Teacher Programme should contact the Teaching Information Line 0845 6000 991.