Hundreds of newly-qualified teachers in Wales cannot find work because too many of them have been trained. The problem is especially acute in primary schools, where only a third of those qualified are able to find jobs.
The Welsh Assembly Government says it is reviewing teacher training, and intakes will be lowered by a tenth in the next two years.
But NUT Cymru wants a guaranteed year of work for new recruits to ensure they do not leave the profession.
Such a year has already been introduced in Scotland.
Latest available figures from the General Teaching Council for Wales for 2003/4 show that of the 2,400 teachers registered, only 770 managed to complete the statutory induction year.
 |  When I went in to do teaching I was told that there were millions of jobs out there  |
Gary Brace, the council's chief executive, said there were a number of ways the issue could be addressed.
"I'm very interested and we're already recommended to the Welsh Assembly Government that we look at what Scotland is doing, where they guarantee a full year's training for every new teacher.
"That way they can complete their induction year and it starts them off on a career of life long learning themselves."
Schools in parts of Wales are receiving up to 200 applicants for every vacancy.
Trainee teacher Sian Davies has been a supply teacher in Cardiff unable to find a permanent post since she qualified in the summer.
"When I went in to do teaching I was told that there were millions of jobs out there, " she said.
No pay
"So when I found that actually the situation was completely different in Cardiff I was really disappointed.
"I have just bought a house in the area as well which obviously makes it more difficult - especially now I'm off for two weeks without any pay."
 Avril Seabury has only had three interviews since qualifying two years ago |
Fellow teacher Avril Seabury from Llandogo in Monmouthshire has been doing supply work for the last two years as she looks for a permanent post.
She says she waits by the phone for a couple of hours every day expecting a response from some of the many applications she submits.
"It's very frustrating because you can't start to sell yourself until you get to the interview.
"And if you're not making the shortlists, you haven't got a hope of getting a job".
Investment
Gethin Lewis, secretary of NUT Cymru, said the were repeating their call made earlier this term, for new teachers to be given a guaranteed year of work.
Less than a third of the primary school teachers qualified in 2003 in Wales - 322 out of 1,100 - had found teaching jobs, he said.
"We have got the investment in their training which is substantial, they all get �6,000 bursary for training.
"For them not to be able to ensure that they can put that training to use is a waste of that investment," said Mr Lewis.
Fifty per cent of the teachers in Wales were now over 45 which meant they would be retiring within next 15 years, so it was important that new recruits were retained and did not simply "drift away".
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