Wales faces growing teacher recruitment crisis with a third of training places unfilled

Teaching unions say the figures provide further evidence of a nationwide recruitment crisis in education

A third of teachers in Wales are said to have considered leaving the profession (dolgachov)

More than a third of teacher training places at Welsh secondary schools remained unfilled at the start of this academic year, furthering concerns about a nationwide recruitment crisis in education.

Only 553 student teachers began training in September 2015, despite an overall target of 880 needed to meet the country’s needs.

Teaching unions said the figures are indicative of a broader recruitment crisis across the UK, and listed pay cuts and rising levels of job insecurity among a number of factors that make teaching a “deeply unattractive” career option for graduates.

According to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the number of trainees recruited has dropped dramatically each year since 2011.

Recruitment to primary school teacher training courses also experienced a slight fall in applications this year.

Rebecca Williams, policy officer at Welsh language teaching union Ucac, said she believed it was not pay and conditions in Wales which was the issue, but an “out of control” workload, which was leading to stress.

“The figures are beginning to tell quite a strong story that we have a recruitment problem into the teaching profession in Wales,” she said.

“In a way it's just the tip of the iceberg, it doesn't take into account the drop out of those who don't finish the course and those who drop out in the early years in the profession because they find it's not what they wanted or it doesn't suit them.”

The Welsh Government said that teacher vacancies overall “remain very low”, something it hopes will continue with its “drive to improve standards and raise the status of the profession”.

A spokesman added: “We are committed to recruiting individuals with the right skills, qualifications and commitment into the profession which is why training incentives are available in Wales to encourage high performing graduates to consider teaching as a career.”

Last year it was reported that teachers in Wales had missed almost 50,000 days of school due to stress-related illnesses. Major reforms of teacher training in Wales are due to be introduced by September 2018.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT said: “The uncomfortable truth facing the Welsh Government is that two out of every three teachers are seriously considering quitting the teaching profession because of concerns about attacks on their pay, workload and jobs.

“Ministers need to demonstrate that they recognise and understand the extremely serious concerns that teachers have and that they are prepared to take the urgent steps necessary to tackle these problems.