From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

NQTS JOB PROSPECTS UNDER THREAT

Hopes that NQTs could find jobs with different councils from the ones where they trained were dashed this week with the release of new figures. Just 87 probationers secured a job outside their own council authority out of over 3,000, while only 360 new staff obtained permanent posts. 489 secured temporary posts.

The figures come just a week after it was revealed that as many as 90% of Newly Qualified Teachers could not get a job within the area they had trained. Those that have not found a job are left to seek work outside of the UK, unemployed or leaving the profession altogether, the Scottish Herald reports.

Des McNulty Education spokesman for the Scottish Liberals blamed the 'wrong priorities' of the SNP for leaving nine out of ten NQTs who were trained at public expense, without a permanent job.

A spokesman from the Scottish Government insisted that the situation will improve as the year goes on and that there was already fewer teachers currently working as probationers as there was last year.

If you are an NQT struggling to find work and would like to talk to someone in confidence, call our Support Line free on 0800 564 2270 or take a look at our Starting Out Guide.