The Training and development Agency reports Goverment initiatives such as goldern handshakes for schience and maths teachers and fast track training - as well as the growing number of recession related redundancies - have led to a 45% increase in the number of teacher training enquiries since the start of the down turn.
According to research from Hays Education, the so-called "credit crunch teachers" will bring new skills and experience to the teaching profession. More than a third (34%) thought recruiting teachers from a wider cross section of backgrounds - including commerce - would benefit students.
The survey also showed 59% of teachers were happy with their work life balance.
Martyn Best, director of Hays Education, said: "Interest in teaching jobs has increased during the recession. Naturally, people are looking for the added job security but also taking stock and assessing they really want a career - particularly if they have been made redundant and feel let down by their previous employer."
