To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent progress has been made on the Transition to Teaching programme; and if he will make a statement. (247406)

Transition to Teaching was launched in July 2008 with some 50 organisations backing it. Since then this has risen to some 130 organisations supporting the programme by agreeing to promote teaching as a second career to their staff. In addition to this, many outplacement organisations have recently agreed to promote Transition to Teaching to companies they work with, and many influencing organisations, including the CBI, are supporting the programme. Transition to Teaching consultants are currently supporting 58 individuals at different stages of the process of deciding whether or not to become a teacher. So far five of these have entered teacher training, a further four have been offered teacher training places and most of the rest have applied for a place or intend to do so soon.