Scottish Government
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Support for teachers out of work
A website to support unemployed teachers to access Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been launched, alongside new guidance on CPD for supply teachers.
The CPD Step-In website will be available to any trained teacher and provides a range of services - including links to online training, discussion forums and professional advice - at a time when employment opportunities may be more difficult to find.
Furthermore, new guidance has also been issued to all local authorities which emphasises the CPD support that needs to be available to teachers on supply lists to ensure their skills and knowledge can be refreshed.
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
"During testing economic times, there has been an increase in the number of teachers who are either irregularly employed or working as supply teachers. The Scottish Government wants to ensure there is better support available for any such individual to access training and development opportunities, refresh their skills and keep apace with changes.
"At a time of significant change in Scottish education through Curriculum for Excellence, it's critical that all teachers can update their professional skills, including those not currently working in the classroom regularly.
"The CPD Step-In website will be a great gathering point of advice and support for any teacher out of work. And the new guidance on CPD for supply teachers will ensure education authorities and schools have the support in place needed so that supply teachers remain valued and integrated within the education system.
"For any teacher currently looking for work, I would encourage them to continue looking and to consider opportunities across the country. However, when jobs are harder to come by, I urge teachers to take advantage of the development available and top up their skills where necessary."
The Job Seekers Allowance Claimants count shows that the number of teachers claiming has fallen significantly since the start of the school year: from 720 in August 2009 to 335 in December 2009.
Both the CPD Step-In website and the new guidance have been developed by the National CPD Team, which is funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by COSLA.
