PRACTICAL subject teaching is one of the better areas when it comes to jobs, according to Rose Malone education officer with the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI). There are a small number of places on training courses, she points out, so the numbers qualified are small.
However, most newly qualified teachers do not start in permanent positions but spend a number of years in temporary employment.
John Mulcahy, acting education officer with the ASTI, says a lot more practical work is being done in schools with the introduction of programmes such as the Leaving Cert Applied. Many secondary school have introduced technology at Junior Cert, while a Leaving Cert technology syllabus is also being prepared by the National Council for Educational Awards. These developments should mean more job opportunities for teachers of these subjects.
Concurrent teacher training programmes, which combine educational qualifications with the study of a particular subject or subjects are now in the majority when it comes to teacher training in practical subjects. But it is also possible in certain subjects, to do a primary degree and then a H.Dip or other postgraduate programme such as UL's graduate diploma in education (business).
UL also offers three concurrent programmes. The technology programme has two streams - materials and construction technology and materials and engineering technology. There are about 30 places each year; Leaving Cert students apply through the CAO. Places are alloted on points - however, according to Dr John O'Brien, associate dean of education at UL, students who have studied practical subjects will be at an advantage.
"Unfortunately, most of the students are men, but this is a direct result of the distribution of practical subjects in schools. We would love to see more girls applying," O'Brien says.
Students do "micro-teaching" in first year: pupils from surrounding schools are brought in and taught in small groups. There are six weeks teaching practice in second year and 10 weeks in fourth year. The jobs scene is very good for graduates of this course, though they do not all get a permanent position, O'Brien says.
The concurrent science course in UL qualifies students to teach biology, agricultural science and physics or chemistry to Leaving Cert. Science teachers may also qualify by doing a B.Sc followed by a H.Dip, but O'Brien says this route means a slower introduction to teaching. The UL programme is geared towards teaching throughout the four years, and O'Brien would like to see all science teaching going this way, he says.
TCD, with the DIT and the Royal Irish Academy, offers a four-year degree in music education. Gabrielle McCann, the course co-ordinator, says students do their education and teaching practice in TCD and study music with the DIT or the RIA.
Students of the religious education course in Mater Dei college study religion, the theory and practice of education and a choice of English, history or music. Most graduates go into teaching, but some also find work in other areas such as pastoral ministry, media, youth ministry or retreat work.
In home economics, there are more jobs than people to fill them, according to Eileen Kelly, acting head of home economics in St Angela's College, Sligo. As well as going into mainstream teaching in second-level schools, there area also openings in Youthreach, VTOS, community workshops and Post Leaving Cert courses, she notes.
