Wider bursaries

In response to your article “Swinney plea for Scots to switch careers and teach hightech skills” (8 March) I would like to correct the assertion that bursaries will be limited to those planning to teach in the north of Scotland following qualification.

This is not the case: 100 bursaries will be made available to career changers aiming to become teachers in priority science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subjects. On gaining PDGE, individuals will be entitled to apply for positions in schools across Scotland.

In addition, the Scottish Government will 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.

We know there are people with the talent and experience needed to inspire the next generation,and we want to make a career in teaching more accessible to a wider range of people. These two schemes will provide a vital boost to the recruitment of teachers in our most hard-to-fill subjects.

JOHN SWINNEY

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education

and Skills, Holyrood