£100,000 for firm’s job app plan

A Sunderland recruitment firm has received a £100,000 investment to help beat a school teacher shortage.

Premier Teachers, which is based on the city’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus, is getting the backing from entrepreneur Gary Dewhurst to fund the development of a mobile app which aims to transform the teacher recruitment process.

The app aims to cut recruitment costs while expanding the talent pool – increasing a school’s chances of hiring the ideal candidate.

It also allows candidates to maximise their job search by applying for multiple posts quickly via mobile phone or tablet using just one tailored submission form. It also provides schools education authorities with a database of applicants matching their criteria.

The specialist education recruitment agency was founded by experienced teacher Mike Donnelly in 2013 and supplies teachers and support staff to schools throughout the region.

He said: “This £100,000 investment was absolutely critical as we had taken the product as far as we could and were unable to access the necessary funds to make it a viable product.

“It is a simple and scalable solution to address a nationwide shortage of teachers in a profession that has missed secondary school recruitment targets for seven years in a row.”

Gary said: “I’m excited to be investing in Premier Teachers and its app as it offers a solution to the chronic shortage of teachers.

“I have three children in education and seen first-hand the recruitment challenges teachers and schools face.