Bradford College

Credit Crunch Launches Career…

Father of two, Kevin Davies was made redundant from his job as a salesman when the credit crunch struck last year.  Kevin had been contemplating a career change for a while but due to financial commitments it was not a feasible option.  Now with the help of Bradford College, he's been able to realise his ambition and enjoy a glittering career as a teacher.

Within a month of being made redundant, Kevin had applied to study for a PGCE Teacher Training course at the College.  He starts the two-year course in September and is in the process of completing a Science Enhancement course at the College as a condition of enrolment. Kevin already holds a degree in Industrial Technology and has worked as a Civil Servant and Accountant.  More recently Kevin worked for mobile tracking solutions firm Globallive Ltd, in Wakefield, before he was made redundant in March last year.

According to new figures, people across the region made redundant during the recession are increasingly turning to teaching.  The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) have reported a 42 per cent increase in the number of applications for teacher-training courses in the last school year in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Kevin explained: “I’d been soul-searching for some time before I was made redundant but I plodded on because money was coming in. When I was made redundant I knew I didn’t want to continue in sales so I thought I’d use the opportunity to teach.”

“I’ve enjoy teaching Drama at my wife Elizabeth’s ‘Stardom School of Performing Arts’ in Shelf, but needed classroom experience to be accepted onto a training course.  That’s why I decided to take on a teaching assistant role at Lower Fields Primary School.  After a few weeks I knew this was what I wanted to do. I get a bursary which is the equivalent of a quarter of what I was earning, but despite this, I’m happy I’m going somewhere!”

Programme Manager for Teacher Education, Dr Mick Dunne, concluded: “Everyone should pursue their dreams and for Kevin this came as a result of his redundancy. Teaching offers a great opportunity for a career change, if individuals have the right qualities – something Kevin has in abundance!”