Technology teachers are in great demand

The BSc Technology with Education aims to equip students with the skills they require to teach technology to pupils.

The four-year course is a joint partnership between the University of Aberdeen and Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Students who are publicly funded will be guaranteed a year-long placement with a salary of more than �19,000.

Combined course

People on the course will undertake a two-year HND in Mechatronics - which includes the study of electronics, information technology and computers - at the college before attending Aberdeen University for the final two years of study.

By combining the HND with practical teaching experience, the course aims to fully prepare students for their future careers.

Under the Scottish Executive's Teacher Induction Scheme, all students whose training has been publicly funded by the Student Awards for Scotland (SAAS) and have passed the course will automatically be guaranteed a paid placement in a Scottish secondary School.

Cathy Macaslan, head of the school of education at Aberdeen University, said: "This represents another first for the University of Aberdeen in new approaches to teacher education.

'Tackling the shortage'

"The collaborative work with Banff and Buchan College serves as a model for other innovative developments which will see further education colleges and the University of Aberdeen working together."

Robert Sinclair, Principal of Banff and Buchan College, added: "We first became aware of a shortage of technology teachers when we were approached by several head-teachers of local secondary schools who were asking us to increase the volume of technology- related education which we deliver on their behalf.

"As we are currently capped in the volume of activity that we can offer, we felt that tackling the shortage of technology teachers would be the best approach."

Students can apply for the course now, which begins at Banff and Buchan College in September.