By Justin Parkinson BBC News Online education staff

Gemma Davies says her predicament is frustrating

You can make a difference to young people's lives, probably with a job for life thrown in.

"Those who can, teach," a recent government's promotion said.

However, Gemma Davies, like many other recently qualified staff, is finding life a little more complex. She "can" do it, but finding work is not so easy.

Gemma, 24, gained a degree in primary education from the University of Wales three years ago.

Angry

Since then she has managed only a year's supply teaching and currently makes a living working in information technology.

Every day she looks through situations vacant websites and estimates she has applied for more than 100 jobs.

Gemma, from Powys, told BBC News Online: "When I started at university in 1998, I thought there was a shortage of primary school teachers.

"I specialised in Welsh language as I was told there was shortage in that subject.

"I thought teaching would give me a job for life. It's made me angry because I'm not qualified to do another job."

A lot of my friends have re-trained or are doing supply work. Some have even become hairdressers Gemma Davies

In a BBC survey of 44 teacher training colleges in England and Wales, two-thirds said graduates faced more of a struggle to get work than previously.

Falling primary school pupil rolls have been blamed, although critics say the government's promotion of the profession has been misleading.

Gemma's degree course was extremely popular, with 10 people applying for each of the 200 places.

Of the 150 who graduated with her in 2001, many have experienced similar career frustration.

Gemma said: "A lot of my friends have re-trained or are doing supply work. Some have even become hairdressers.

"When you are a trainee teacher, you still leave with a student loan to pay off.

'A rewarding job'

"And it's getting worse. The government has been misleading. People are always saying to me 'You've got a teaching degree. Why aren't you working?'

"I think people need to realise the situation."

In Powys, Gemma says, there is a low turnover of primary school staff.

"A lot of the people teaching here were in the job when I was a girl.

"Schools always ask for experience when you apply. It's difficult to get that without having a full-time job."

The last post Gemma applied for, in a 45-pupil school, attracted 60 applicants.

The situation is even more irritating, because her brief experience of teaching lived up to the government's billing.

She said: "During my time as a supply teacher I realised what a rewarding job this is. Every day you can make a difference to people's lives.