Teaching tops workforce talent poll

The respondents were asked to rate their top three in a series of professions according to the talent you need to work in them. Teaching was ranked second, with 39 per cent categorising it as a talented profession beating ‘city-based’ jobs such as law (29 per cent), management consultancy (8 per cent) and accountancy (6 per cent). Medicine was rated as the most talented profession by 56 per cent of people polled.

The teaching profession was measured on a range of skills from leadership to strategic thinking and the ability to juggle a varied workload. Whereas teachers unsurprisingly ranked highly in areas such as the ability to motivate (84 per cent) and inspire (84 per cent), the public also rated teachers in areas such as creativity (69 per cent), leadership skills (58 per cent) and strategic thinking (41 per cent).

One of the teachers involved in the campaign is former research scientist, Ceri Evans. Commenting on the recruitment campaign, he said:

“I think most people see teaching as a profession that’s worthy but it’s great that more and more people view it as a talented profession on par with medicine or law. By training as a teacher, you can exercise numerous talents and skills from motivating and inspiring others, to thinking creatively and communicating effectively. These lateral skills are the ones that we want to bring to the forefront and which I hope, will make high-fliers consider whether teaching could be for them.”
 
The figures are released ahead of a new recruitment campaign launched today that aims to bring to life the talents of teachers. The campaign uses real examples of skills exercised by teachers in educating the youth of today from recreating the cosmos in the school playground to aerodynamics in the classroom.

Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the TDA added:

“In today’s job market, every sector is fighting for quality candidates. But teaching stands out as one of the few professions where jobseekers can have the best of both worlds – a job that’s rewarding and intellectually challenging backed up by fast career development and a competitive starting salary. Tomorrow’s stars are more likely, therefore, to be found in the classroom than behind a corporate desk.”

The recruitment campaign aims to attract 36, 845 people to teaching this year, with maths and science specialists in high demand. The campaign also aims to increase representation from different ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, and address the gender balance in primary schools.

Graduates entering the teaching profession can now expect a salary of over £20,000 (£24,000 in inner London) whilst pocketing up to £5,000 as a golden hello if they choose a priority subject, such as maths or science. Tax-free bursaries of up to £9,000 are also in place to enable jobseekers to study for a teaching qualification. Classroom teachers can progress to a salary of £34,000 or more (£41,000 in London).

To find out more about turning your talent to teaching, visit www.teach.gov.uk or call 0845 6000 991.

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Notes to editors

• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,985 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd - 25th January 2008.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
• The Training and Development Agency for Schools was established under the Education Act 2005 and was formerly known as the Teacher Training Agency. Its principle aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances. For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk 
• Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 – 992 for Welsh speakers (minicom 01245 45 43 43).

From 1 September 2008 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on size of school. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits

Eligible trainees on secondary postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths and science may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/funding