Millennials urged to take experience of working with young people into the classroom.
The vast majority of university students and recent graduates in Birmingham feel motivated to experience working with young people, according to new research.
Data shows that 40% already have experience of voluntary work with children or young people, and 35% have worked with them in a school setting. A fifth have tutored a child or young person in a particular subject and 19% have coached sports to the next generation. This leaves just 20% of this group stating they have no experience in this area.
The survey of over 3,000 university students and recent graduates, for the national Get Into Teaching campaign – from the Department for Education – found an “untapped talent pool” of students and recent graduates that have had relevant exposure to teaching situations such as mentoring, tutoring or coaching. The campaign is now calling on more millennials in Birmingham to channel this experience into their future career plans, and consider teaching as a career.
This call to students comes as the number of graduates hired by organisations nationally in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list fell by 4.9% in 2017, the first drop in graduate recruitment for five years and the biggest annual fall recorded since 2009. Despite this increased competition for other graduate schemes, millennials are still striving for job satisfaction and want to make the most of their talents.
Using their knowledge and skills is high on the agenda for this university student and recent graduate cohort as, nationally, 94% say they are looking for a future career relating to their degree subject, and in Birmingham 79% believe they would make a good teacher.
Commenting on the findings, Roger Pope, a National Leader of Education and spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign, said: “Volunteering, mentoring, tutoring and coaching are all wonderful ways to gain a taste of what life might be like as a teacher and it is overwhelmingly positive to see that many in Birmingham are already providing this support to young people.
“These types of encounters can be the first steps in considering teaching as a career. Given what our research reveals, if the appetite is there from individuals in Birmingham then we would encourage these same talented people to think about becoming a teacher. The fulfilling nature of the job is unique, particularly when it comes to the pride you feel. It is one of the main reasons many people choose to teach and perhaps the reason people enjoy working with young people more generally. The rewarding 
The research also shows 90% of university students and recent graduates in Birmingham believe teaching would be a fulfilling career most or all of the time, with 36% believing teaching to be in the top five jobs that make a positive impact on society.
Luke Price (pictured), a Modern Foreign Languages teacher and senior leader from Q3 Academy in Great Barr, Birmingham, who is also a local Get Into Teaching advocate, added: “It’s working with children and young people that makes being a teacher such a rewarding job. They are all so different and have particular needs both inside and outside of the classroom, which makes our role incredibly varied all of the time. When working with young people there are no two days that are the same, and my students continue to surprise, impress and make me smile every day.
“I’m proud to be a teacher – it’s like no other job out there. I would encourage anyone who is drawn to working with young people, or thinking about their next move, to find out more about teaching as a career.”
You could get a £26,000 tax-free bursary to train as a teacher in key subjects including science, computing, geography and languages. This year candidates could get £30,000 to train to teach maths – a £20,000 tax-free bursary while training as a teacher and a further £10,000 after tax once in teaching. Alternatively, prestigious scholarships of up to £28,000 are available in priority subjects for graduates with a 2:1 or above who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be teachers.
Applications to start teacher training in September 2018 are open. For tailored advice and information about a career in teaching visit: getintoteaching or call the Get Into Teaching line on 0800 389 2500.