Bursary to support new Scottish STEM teachers announced

Career changers aiming to become teachers in priority science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subjects can apply for a new £20,000 bursary from 3 April.

The bursary – for post-graduate teacher training courses starting in August – is the latest in a series of measures the Scottish Government is taking to recruit more teachers and develop Scotland’s STEM capacity through school subjects such as maths, computing science, physics and technical education.

Education secretary John Swinney said: “Developing Scotland’s STEM talent and capability will drive economic growth and increase innovation. The key to having more young people enthused and inspired to learn STEM and take up jobs and careers in these fields is having great STEM teachers.

“These bursaries will make it easier for those considering a career change into teaching to take that step, bridging the gap in employment and making a move into teaching a real possibility for many more people.”

In addition, the Scottish Government will also provide a further 20 places on the University of Aberdeen’s PGDE Internship programme for individuals who have lost, or are at risk of losing their jobs in the oil and gas sector.

Mr Swinney added: “Alongside our continuing support for the University of Aberdeen’s PGDE Internship programme, these bursaries will provide a vital boost to the recruitment of teachers in our most hard to fill subjects.”

The programme, partly funded by the Transition Training Fund, will be open to applicants from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands.

There will be 100 bursaries in total available.