Engineering businesses facing the prospect of making redundancies can benefit from a new government-backed programme which provides end-to-end support to those wanting to assist staff in finding a new career in teaching.
Transitiontoteach.co.uk – funded by the Department for Education – has been designed to provide firms with the advice and resources needed to guide staff who may be at risk, to transition into a role where their skills and experience can benefit the next generation of engineers.
The programme aims to tackle the sector’s chronic skills shortage at the same time as enhancing the quality of education provided in local schools.
With some schools now returning as part of lockdown easing measures, those facing redundancy could join a new cohort of trainee teachers this Autumn.
More than 100,000 redundancies were made in the UK last year alone, according to ONS data. For engineering firms that may be facing a similar situation, Transitiontoteach.co.uk can help with some of the challenges and stress by offering a fully funded package of support to affected staff.
Once companies have registered an interest in the programme, the four-stage process will help manage the transition of eligible employees into teaching by discussing the individual redundancy needs of the business, providing them with resources such as relevant marketing materials and personalised support to employees.
Employees benefit with bespoke support given to individuals with an interest in teaching, from assessing their eligibility and helping with the initial application process through to their teacher training and first qualified year of teaching. Ineligible employees will be signposted to alternative routes into teaching.
A career in teaching offers a unique opportunity to utilise knowledge and skill sets from working environments to inspire future generations. Career-changers in the wake of redundancy with real-world experience across a wealth of industries, sectors and job roles can bring so much to the classroom – one of the core aims of the programme.
Organisations interested in finding more about the programme, or any employees looking to transition into teaching, can start their journey by clicking here.