Teach Your Way Out of Recession
Date added: Friday 17th April 2009
TEACH YOUR WAY OUT OF THE RECESSION
Teaching is the most popular gap year activity
Teaching has topped the list of the most popular gap year placements, having risen by 20% in the last year, according to the latest research1 from Year Out Group, the association of leading UK-registered year out organisations. As the recession deepens, becoming a teacher is increasingly being seen as an attractive career option, not only amongst school and university leavers, but also by people considering a career change.
Gap year placements are also thriving with a 15% rise in the number of people choosing to escape Britain's doom and gloom compared to the previous year, and a 34% rise in just three years.
Year Out Group's research found that 90% of 'gappers' rate their placements as extremely worthwhile and time well-spent, and with competition for jobs at an all time high, there has never been a better time to pack bags and enhance the CV. Recent research2 has quantified the fact that candidates with drive, initiative, teamwork, communication and analytical skills - all qualities which can be developed on a gap year - are ultimately much more employable.
Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of the not-for-profit Year Out Group, comments: "We have noticed a marked increase in the number of requests for teaching placements in recent months and this is supported by recent government statistics3 which have noted a 10% rise since September 2008.
"Teaching is one of the most rewarding gap year placements as it enables people to really understand the local culture and immerse themselves in the local community. There are a range of options available with Year Out Group's gap year providers including TEFL courses, training to becoming a teaching assistant or classroom teaching placements worldwide.
"As an organisation, our aim is to help people of all ages who are considering a gap year, career break or sabbatical to make the right choices, and to do their research thoroughly, so they end up on a placement that is right for them, as well as benefitting those on the receiving end. In the current economic climate, there is no doubt that people who have taken a structured gap year placement, such as teaching, will have more opportunities thrown open to them when returning to the UK."
Year Out Group members offer a superb choice of activities in over 90 countries worldwide (including the UK), and collectively carry more than 53,000 participants each year. To order a free copy of 'Planning your year out?', a handy booklet with expert advice and helpful hints on the gap year options available, call Year Out Group on 01380 816 696 or visit www.yearoutgroup.org.
Ends 16 April 2009
Notes to editors:
1 Research covers 53,583 people who undertook placements with Year Out Group member companies in 2007
2 According to a paper written by Sir John Chisholm, Chairman of QinetiQ Group plc and the Medical research Council
3 Statistics sourced from the Training & Development Agency, March 2009
Year Out Group is a not-for-profit organisation. Its carefully-vetted 37 member companies are specialists in their field and comply with a strict Code of Practice and Operating Guidelines. The range of programmes available in the UK and more than 90 countries worldwide includes voluntary work, study courses, cultural exchanges, expeditions and work placements.
Press: For further information, to interview Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of Year Out Group, or to obtain case studies and photography of placements, please call Julia Farish, Richard Mellor or Ian Bradley at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440, email j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or r.mellor@travelpr.co.uk
