"No-brainer": High unemployment may be driving more Kiwis to teaching

High unemployment could be behind a sudden surge of people wanting to become teachers. 

New Ministry figures show the number of people in training is up 40% from 2023.  

Education Minister Erica Stanford credits the School Onsite Training scheme, which pays people to learn on the job.  

Rangiora High School Principal Bruce Kearney told Mike Hosking when unemployment rises, there's normally a spike in people going into teaching.  

He says people will finish their degrees during times of high unemployment, and since teacher training is only 32 weeks and they're in desperate need of teachers, it's a no-brainer. 

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