Media statement
For immediate release

Wednesday 6 March 2002

Teaching not on London jobs hit list

New Zealanders wishing to teach in London should not be alarmed by a recent industry report saying jobs in Britain will be slashed, according to the UK supply teaching industry.

The Centre of Economics and Business Research a business consultancy, released a report earlier in the week which said as many as 35,000 people may lose their jobs in London over the course of the next year,

Responding from London on behalf of the UK supply teaching industry, 1st Contact Founder and Director Mike Kaye said there is unwavering demand for overseas teachers in Britain.

“There are over 3,500 supply teacher vacancies in London at any one time and Britain depends on Kiwis and other overseas teachers, living and working in London, to fill those positions,” said Kaye.

“The message to any Kiwi teachers planning a trip to the UK is don’t worry – there are plenty of teaching jobs in London.”

1st Contact Education is one of London's leading supply teacher agencies specialising in the placement of qualified overseas supply teachers in schools across all 33 boroughs in London.

1st Contact Education offers a wide range of teaching positions in primary, secondary and special needs education, ranging from day-to-day work, to short and long-term contracts. An important aspect of their service to both teachers and schools is that all
of their consultants are teachers who have worked in London. 1st Contact
Education actively seeks the highest quality candidates from overseas and
has offices in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Launched in May 2001 by two teachers, Bruce Andrew & Ryan Botha, 1st
Contact Education is part of the 1st Contact Group.

Contact: Melanie Fletcher, 1st Contact, NZ Manager 021 882 887

1st Contact was co-founded in the UK in 1990 by New Zealander Mike Kaye, and employs around 300 staff in the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. 1st Contact is London’s largest service provider for the independent traveller. Services include advice on visas and immigration; tax and financial services; recruitment; accommodation; telecommunications and shipping.

For hot travel tips and more information see www.1stcontact.co.uk/nz
or call the New Zealand Office 0800 22 43 22.