Does low pay deter engineers from converting to teaching STEM subjects?

The contributor made a number of points along the way, including a request to remain anonymous, which I am happy to agree to. Having been made redundant in 2008, he embarked on a Post Graduate Certificate in Eduction (PGCE), something which, nonetheless, brackets you as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). Here's the gist of his contribution: I had to quit the PGCE course. There was no way I would be able to support my family and pay the mortgage with an NQT salary (at the time) of £16k/yr *. If the country really wants to have STEM subjects and computing and electronics as a core competence, it needs passionate, motivated and capable individuals to deliver this. It also needs to make the pay scales attractive enough for such individuals to join the profession. I believe Michael Gove is driving capable teachers out of the profession – extending the school day and pushing teachers to improve the results so more students achieve 'above average' (this shows he should not teach the M in STEM), while paying them less than they can get anywhere else is misguided at best and liable to destroy education in this country at worst. The receptionist's position at a local children's ball pit attracts a salary of just over £19k. if the Government and the population place a higher value on ball pit attendants than great STEM teachers, then I think screaming at your readers to help is shouting at the wrong people. Can New Electronics lobby the Government to consider that there are those with significant industrial experience who would love to teach, but simply are unable to support their families on current pay scales? Let's get the UK electronics industry back on its feet with a boost in subject specialist teachers earning nearer to £40k per year. What do you think? Should the Government be looking to attract experienced engineers to teach STEM subjects? * According to the Department for Education's website, in 2014, NQTs can earn between £15,976 and £25,267, with more money for those teaching in London. To see the 11 March cover story 'Wanted: Tomorrow's engineers', click here.