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Employment statistics for newly qualified teachers

We carry out a survey every autumn of teachers who have participated in the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), a probation programme described as 'world-leading' in an international survey by the OECD.

The purpose of the survey is to gain information on teachers' experiences of obtaining employment once they have gained the Standard for Full Registration with us and become eligible to apply for a permanent teaching post in Scotland.

The survey report summarises the responses to the survey questionnaire of 860 teachers out of a possible 2,747. There is no way to tell from the information gathered in this survey whether those who did not respond to the survey were more successful or less successful in obtaining employment than those who responded.

Key findings are:

• The survey response rate was 31.3%. This compares with:
  

  Previous Surveys	Response Rate
  October 2010	48.1%
  October 2009	48.4%
  October 2008	44.0%
  October 2007	46.5%



• The number of probationers with full-time permanent employment contracts is 20.9%. This is up from 16.1% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers with part-time permanent employment contracts is 1.6%. This remains constant from 1.6% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers with full-time temporary employment contracts is 24.8%. This is up from 19.5% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers with part-time temporary employment contracts is 9.2%. This is up from 8.8% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers with full-time supply employment contracts is 8.5%. This remains constant from 8.5% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers with part-time supply employment contracts is 4.4%. This is down from 4.9% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers on the local authority supply employment lists is 11.7%. This is down from 13.6% in October 2010.
  
• The number of probationers not in employment is 18.8%. This is down from 27.1% in October 2010.

Anthony Finn, Chief Executive of GTC Scotland said:

"GTC Scotland carries out this survey of probationers every year and reports its findings to the Scottish Government.

"It is important to recognise that the overall proportion of probationers in full-time employment has risen since the last survey. This is encouraging news and, we hope, will also lead to an improving trend in job prospects for our new teachers.

"The highly skilled and enthusiastic teachers who graduate from the Teacher Induction Scheme have much to contribute to the development of our new curriculum and it is important that our schools and our young people do not miss out on the benefits of their expertise. We therefore remain concerned that the overall proportion of new teachers gaining jobs is still lower than we would prefer. We are however aware that the Scottish Government recognises this priority.

"Although the return rate in this year's survey is lower than usual, we believe it is still an accurate representation of the current employment prospects for Scotland's probationer teachers. We hope to see the rise in those in full time employment continue and will analyse this in our follow-up survey in spring 2012."

View the full survey and its appendix:

• Employment Survey Report Probationer Teacher 2010-11
• Employment Survey Report Probationer Teacher 2010-11 Appendix

 

(added on 8 December 2011)