§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage people to come into teaching from careers in industry and business; what initial support he has received for his proposals from the industrial and business sectors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherMy Department's action campaign on teacher recruitment has boosting the number of mature entrants from industry and business as one of its main aims. The teaching as a career unit—TASC—targets older people from other careers with special publications, and in its national and local advertising. In conjunction with ICI, we are running a well-subscribed programme of taster courses for older people who are considering a career in teaching. We have funded special teacher training courses designed with those making a career change in mind. We also encourage and support partnerships between education and industry on teacher supply, notably with BP and British Telecom. In addition we have sponsored seven regional conferences to stimulate co-operation between education and industry over alleviating teacher shortage.