The government says that, nationally, there are vacancies

The NASUWT says all parts of the country should adopt the Scottish approach of an induction placement.

There have been reports of new primary school teachers in particular being out of work in England and Wales.

But the government says that although there is some competition for places, vacancies do exist.

'Demoralisation'

The leader of the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers), Chris Keates, said: "It is a tragedy and a gross waste of public money when newly-qualified teachers leave teacher training and are unable to find a teaching post.

"Demoralisation and disillusionment sets in rapidly when it becomes evident to them that they will either have to abandon their chosen career before it has even started or take on supply work, which is a most unsatisfactory induction into teaching."

Supply work is the school equivalent of temping.

Ms Keates said that in Scotland, newly-qualified teachers were guaranteed employment in their first year to ensure they had "a stable and supportive start" to their career.

"The standard and quality of teaching in Scotland is universally recognised and this positive start must be a contributory factor," she said.

All other parts of the UK should adopt the same approach.

She said her union would put the proposal formally in discussions with the government due to begin in the autumn term.

A similar call was put to the Welsh Assembly Government on Monday by Wales's largest teaching union, NUT Cymru.

The assembly government said a review of initial teacher training that was being carried out had the power to recommend a separate inquiry into the possible introduction of a guaranteed induction year post.

Vacancies

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills in England said its position was unchanged.

This was that the success of its recruitment drives had undoubtedly resulted in more competition for teaching posts, but overall employment prospects were strong.

Ninety per cent of newly-qualified teachers were employed in teaching posts six months after training and another 5% were seeking work, a spokesman said.

"Whilst there are areas of the country with only a small number of primary vacancies, vacancies do exist on a national level."

Allocations

The scheme in Scotland resulted from an agreement in 2001 between the employers, teachers' organisations and the Scottish Executive following recommendations made in the McCrone Report on pay and conditions.

The agreement provided for a guaranteed one-year training place for teachers undertaking the required probationary period before they can register with the General Teaching Council Scotland, which they must do in order to work in a state school.

New teachers can choose up to five local authorities they would prefer to work in and are allocated to one - though if they are sent to a different area they get a �6,000 payment.

The authority then allocates them to a particular school.