Cash Incentive Tempts 78% of Kiwi Teachers in UK

Cash Incentive Tempts 78% of Kiwi Teachers in UK

The New Zealand Government's latest $5,000 initiative to lure Kiwi teachers back from British schools is tempting our teachers, reveals a 1st Contact Education survey just released.

In a survey of 100 New Zealand teachers working in the UK by New Zealand owned leading teacher recruitment agency, 1st Contact Education, 78% of teachers say they are “tempted” by the offer of almost £2,000 to return home.

Although 81% of teachers surveyed said they had no immediate plans to leave the UK, 73% said with a financial incentive they would return to New Zealand within a few years.

However the 1st Contact Education survey reveals the incentive would have to double to NZ$10,000 to entice the majority of the estimated 2,000 New Zealand teachers currently working in the UK to consider returning home within a year.

With 90% of teachers surveyed rating travel opportunities and money as the main motivations for staying put, Emma Bronson, a New Zealand supply teacher with 1st Contact Education in London, says it’s important to remember that teachers who have just arrived in London are not there just for the money.

“We’re also here to experience the lifestyle and all the travel opportunities London offers - money is not the only factor. I came to the UK so I could travel across Europe and experience some of the history and culture first hand. Working in Britain brings with it a host of opportunities that go beyond simple cash handouts," she says.

The 1st Contact Education survey indicates that the more aggressive approach to recapture Kiwi teachers from British schools will work, says Director of 1st Contact Education, Mike Kaye.

“1st Contact has been in talks with the New Zealand Government to discuss ways of ensuring there is a balanced two-way flow of Kiwi teachers coming to the UK and going back,” says Mr Kaye, and with the constant demand for Kiwi teachers in Britain he expects the offer of cash will increase the turnover of teachers coming and going from New Zealand and the UK.

“There are currently 400,000 supply teachers working in the UK, and while New Zealand teachers represent a small proportion of the total, overseas governments will only get more aggressive in their approach to recapture their teachers from British schools,” he says.

“It’s also important to remember these teachers will be bringing back new skills and experiences gained from teaching overseas. So it’s New Zealand’s gain when they return home and we know that most New Zealanders do intend to return home within five years."

1st Contact Education is a leading New Zealand owned, UK based recruitment company, specialising in the placement of qualified supply teachers in UK schools. Launched in May 2001, 1st Contact Education is part of the larger 1st Contact Group. 1st Contact Education offers a wide range of teaching positions in primary, secondary and special needs education, ranging from day-to-day work, as well as short and long-term contracts.

1st Contact Group Assisting more than 750, 000 clients over the past 12 years, 1st Contact is one of the biggest providers of recruitment and immigration services to New Zealanders, Australians and South Africans in the UK.

1st Contact focuses on providing recruitment (medical, teaching and semi-skilled employment) and banking facilities, as well as tax consultation, financial management, visa/immigration issues, money, shipping and telecommunications services.

1st Contact was established in 1990 by New Zealander Mike Kaye and South African Reg Bamford; has offices in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and employs more than 250 staff in its central London offices.

http://www.1stcontact.co.uk/NZ

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