PEOPLE who have started 2016 eager for a change are being urged to get into teaching, with two events being held in the next few weeks to try to ease the shortage of teachers in Bradford.

Forty per cent of the people in Yorkshire who registered to become teachers in the 2014/15 academic year did so in January, according to the National College for Teaching and Leadership, with 3,390 registrations that month.

And to harness the high numbers of people looking to change careers, two roadshows will be held to get more people into the profession.

Beckfoot School in Bingley will host an event, organised by the Bradford Teaching Schools Alliance on January 30. And the National College for Teaching and Leadership has organised a similar event in the Leeds Hilton on February 25.

Organisers of both events will hope they help reverse trends of teachers leaving the profession.

Last November the Telegraph & Argus reported how 63 per cent of secondary schools in the district faced recruitment issues because of a lack of applicants, the poor quality of applicants and a shortage of teachers specialising in subjects like English and engineering. And 58 per cent of primary schools faced similar issues.

Both roadshow's will offer guidance to those looking to move into teaching, and different training routes, and there will be representatives from local schools present.

Ian Murch, Bradford spokesman for the National Union of Teachers, said: "You hear the Government say there are more teachers than ever before but they don't point out that there are more pupils too, and the gap between the two is growing.

"I know that in September just gone there were not enough people going into teacher training. There aren't enough people in the system to fill all the vacancies.

"If we don't get more people signing up there will be a problem."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive for education and skills at Bradford Council, said: "I know that teaching is not an easy option as a career choice.

"However I see outstanding teachers in Bradford who transform young people’s lives for the better every day. So if anyone out there feels they might have a similar passion and talent for teaching then I’d encourage them to go along to one of these events.

"You’ve nothing to lose and it might just mark the start of an exciting new career change."

Tessa Mason, NCTL Teaching and Leadership Advisor for teachers in Bradford said: The start of the New Year is a natural time for people to think about whether a change could make them happier or more fulfilled. One way of shaking off the January blues is to start a new rewarding career this year by taking your skills and experience into the classroom.

“Some of our best teachers entered the profession after pursuing careers in other fields, bringing a wealth of experience to help inspire the next generation.”

The event at Beckfoot School runs from 9.30am to 4pm on January 30, and the one in the Leeds Hilton is on Thursday, February 25, from 5pm to 8pm.