The survey was commissioned by the Teacher Training Agency to help identify when and on what basis people make their career choices. The survey, which was carried out by BMRB, asked people what they thought about during their holidays. The results reveal they use them to review some of the most important aspects of their lives, such as their lifestyle, their relationships, their finances and their jobs.

Front of mind for holidaymakers are thoughts about lifestyle with nearly 40% of respondents claiming they thought most about this whilst taking a break. Finances featured second on the list with more women than men considering their financial situation whilst on holiday.

Relationships were third on the list and were a bigger concern for men (15%) than for women with only 11% of women claiming to think about relationships during their holiday.

More than 20% of 16 - 34 year old men and women thought about changing jobs whilst on holiday. When asked what career could best achieve improvements in lifestyle, finances and relationships, teaching came top.

Commenting on the results, Mary Doherty, Director of Teacher Supply and Recruitment, said:
'The survey shows people are expecting more from their lives and careers. Employers need to give people the opportunity to improve their work/life balance by encouraging initiatives such as sabbaticals, or flexible working practices including job sharing. The results from this survey indicate that teaching is regarded as a modern, flexible career and one that can also meet peoples' financial expectations.'

These findings come at a time when around half of those recruited to initial teacher training have come from another career, many of them from the private sector. Mary Doherty explains: 'The teaching profession has changed considerably over the last few years and teachers can now expect competitive salaries, better classroom support and great prospects and also the established benefits of teaching like good holidays, working with a subject you enjoy and the opportunity to make a contribution to society'.

There are places available on initial teacher training courses starting this autumn.

Information about how to become a teacher is available at the TTA website, www.canteach.gov.uk Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line, 0845 6000991.

For further information about the survey contact:
Dan Davies/Claire Barry Financial Dynamics, Tel: 020 7 269 7293 / 7122
email: dan.davies@fd.com  / claire.barry@fd.com

For general information about the TTA contact the Press Office:
Tel: 0207 925 3755, email: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

 

Notes to Editors

1. BMRB were commissioned by the Teacher Training Agency to conduct research into the general public's thoughts and motivations that determine career selection. A total of 2,011 interviews were carried out with adults aged 21-55 in England between 20th and 21st July 2002. Interviews were conducted over the phone as part of an omnibus survey. The sample was nationally representative and selected through random locale sampling.
2. As of April 2002 graduate teachers starting in inner London can earn up to £20,595. For those living elsewhere it is £17,595. For those living outside inner London, a good, experienced classroom teacher can earn up to £32,250; a teacher in a senior management role up to £38,187; an advanced skills teacher up to £47,604; and a headteacher up to £85,704 (all £3,000 extra if teaching in inner London).
3. 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 in England.
4. Further information is available on the Teacher Training Agency's website www.canteach.gov.uk website. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000991. Those ready to apply for a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course can register on-line using a service provided by Graduate Teacher Training Registry at www.gttr.ac.uk

 

For further information please call TTA Press Office on 0208 925 3855