Graduates living in Argyll and Bute are being offered financial support to become fully qualified secondary school teachers without the need to move away from the area.
Argyll and Bute Council has been working in partnership with the Universities of Dundee and the Highlands and Islands, to agree a programme, subject to approval by the General Teaching Council of Scotland, which will see student teachers based in local schools over an 18 month period.
The training, which is funded through a Scottish Government bursary scheme, will enable students to study from home and to spend a substantial time in class under the guidance of a mentor.
Subjects currently being offered are chemistry, computing, home economics, maths and physics – all of which are experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers across Scotland.
On successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and will be fully registered secondary teachers, able to immediately apply for teaching posts.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: “We want the very best for our young people and we are committed to training, attracting, and keeping, the highest calibre of teaching staff in Argyll and Bute.
“This scheme is a great opportunity for young people in Argyll and Bute to become fully qualified secondary teachers whilst being given the opportunity to stay in the area, and compliments our existing teacher training scheme which saw 13 students gain their diploma in primary education last year. I have no doubt this will be success.
“Teacher training and recruitment is a national programme, so we welcome this exciting initiative to nurture ‘home grown' secondary teachers and look forward to being a full partner in the process.”
The Council’s Head of Education, Anne Paterson said: “Together with our university partners, we have been working extremely hard to get this scheme off the ground. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone wanting to progress their career and become a secondary teacher, whilst having the option to stay in Argyll and Bute.”
The closing date for applications is 3 September, with the first intake of students in December this year.
An information evening will take place at the Corran Halls in Oban on Tuesday 12 June from 5pm to 7pm.
People from other areas of Argyll and Bute who are interested, can link in via video conference by prior arrangement. Contact the Oban Education Office on 01631 569192 for further details.