ARE you a new graduate struggling to find work in Northern Ireland? Have you thought about teaching English abroad?
The British Council is offering applicants from Northern Ireland the chance to participate in the English Teaching Graduate Scheme, which aims to provide the qualifications necessary to teach overseas, while also giving insight into other cultures.
Through the scheme, the British Council will subsidise successful applicants with a grant of up to £600 to study a one-month Trinity CertTESOL or Cambridge Celta course at either the Belfast Metropolitan College or at the International House Belfast, both British Council Accredited Centres.
After the course, successful applicants will also be provided with one day of additional training at the British Council, which will give them guidance about starting a career as an English teacher overseas or in the UK.
According to Jonathan Stewart, deputy director of the British Council, such an initiative has never been timelier. He said: “With graduations taking place across Northern Ireland this week, many will be unsure of what direction to take. It’s an exciting time for graduates, but some are only starting to think about their career options now.
“The English Teaching Graduate Scheme gives these individuals a chance to learn a new skill and improve their education and employment opportunities. Teaching English abroad is also a great way to see the world and experience living in completely new cultures.” Jobs are available in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea, with closer destinations including; Spain, Italy and Portugal.
The scheme is open to graduates who are currently unemployed or work less than 16 hours per week, hold a British or Irish passport and have graduated from a UK university in the last three years. Additionally, applicants must not be in full-time Higher Education or intend to enroll in a course in the coming academic year.
Applications are now open for the next recruitment round.
To apply, or for more details on the English Teaching Graduate Scheme and other opportunities through the British Council visit www.british council.org/study-work-create or email opportunity@britishcouncil.org. The deadline for applications is August 1.
Meanwhile, 17 Northern Ireland apprentices have secured a place on the UK Squad for the WorldSkills 2015 Sao Paulo competition.
WorldSkills, the largest international skills competition in the world, is held every two years and sees around 1,000 young people, aged 18-25, from all over the world come together to compete for medals in more than 40 different skills.
The UK Squad will now spend the next 11 months training in their individual skill supported by their training provider, college, employer and a dedicated training manager. In May next year, the members of Squad UK will compete for a coveted place in the 37 strong team that will represent the UK at WorldSkills 2015.