Student teachers in Northern Ireland were encouraged to consider a teaching job in Argyll and Bute, when two representatives from the Council’s Education Team attended Stranmillis Careers Fair last week.

Susan Tyre, Schools Services Support Manager, and Peter Bain, head teacher at Oban High School, travelled to the careers fair just outside Belfast to promote Argyll and Bute as an excellent place to live, work and learn.

The pair had a wide variety of promotional material with them to showcase the area, and feedback showed that students were very enthusiastic and open to the prospect of moving to Argyll and Bute to work.

Susan said: “As well as having leaflets, display banners, photographs and a list of vacant teaching posts with us, we also had a video clip playing which showed a variety of locations throughout the area. Everyone commented on how beautiful Argyll and Bute is and we came away with lots of contact details for people who are interested in a teaching career in Scotland - it was a very worthwhile trip. We met people from other Scottish local authorities and UK-wide agencies who specialise in the provision of teachers, and we gained useful knowledge surrounding other events in Ireland and beyond where the focus is on recruitment of student teachers. Overall, the trip was extremely beneficial and gave us the opportunity for people to see how stunning the area is.”

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: “It’s really encouraging to hear that the trip was such a success. Teacher recruitment is a national problem and we are working hard as a local authority to do everything we can to tackle this.

“We make use of shared headships where possible and have undertaken a variety of initiatives to promote teaching vacancies in Argyll and Bute, including increased use of social media and attractive relocation packages. We have also developed a popular ‘Growing our Own’ initiative, in partnership with Argyll College, to offer a post-graduate Diploma in Teaching. Our aim is to ensure that Argyll and Bute is the best place in Scotland for our children to grow up and our vision is that together we will realise ambition, excellence and equality for all. We will continue to do everything possible to encourage people to take up teaching posts in this wonderful part of the country.”

An information pack will now be sent to Stranmillis for distribution to all fourth year students which will give them a full overview of the opportunities available for starting their teaching career in Argyll and Bute.