Jo is an ITT (initial teacher training) provider who has been working with ABC Teachers' sister company, Vision for Education, since 2014. In this time, together they have supported multiple students by getting them ready for a career in education. Here’s more on how we work with trainee teachers to prepare them for the world of work.

Jo is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland, deputy team leader for all secondary ITT areas and due to become Director of Initial Teacher Education at Middlesbrough College. When she first started working with Vision for Education in 2014, she knew that they would be different. She shares: “From the outset Vision for Education was proactive in asking me to co-design ways of increasing the employability and confidence of our trainees. It was evident their thinking went beyond the ‘how to apply for jobs’ presentation offered by many providers, but rather they wanted to create a unique and dynamic strategy with us.”

It was Jo’s aim to support her trainees and she could see that the support Vision for Education provided would help her students not just to apply for a job, but to be ready and feel prepared starting out in their careers and beyond.

She said: “Vision for Education has helped my trainees to build professional agility on many different levels. The workshops improve their confidence in approaching the application form and interviews. Applying for jobs is a complex task, especially in the crowded primary and non-core secondary sectors - it’s daunting! Yet, Vision for Education’s support has broken this down into manageable steps, enabling students to stand out in the employment market.”

“Professional agility is a must in the pandemic era, and the flexibility of thinking Vision for Education encourages is empowering. On top of this, they also provide one-to-one support for candidates, keynote conference presentations, sponsorship of special academic awards and events.”

When her trainee teachers are ready to find their first job, Jo is not shy to recommend them to work with Vision for Education. She said: “Vision for Education has instantly supported any trainee I have referred to them and given them rapid access to work. The extensive CPD programme and social events like summer BBQs are just some of the great perks Vision for Education provide for their staff.”

She would also recommend other universities or ITT providers to partner with Vision for Education or ABC Teachers. She shares: “As a company they understand that generic presentations are not the answer to giving applicants the edge in the employment market. If you partner with them, you will get a bespoke programme of support for trainee employability. You would be able to tap into their sector intelligence and together you’ll build something that works to improve teacher sufficiency.”

If you would like to find out more about working with us as a trainee teacher or as a university or ITT provider, contact your local branch today, we’d love to start working with you.