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ASPIRING young people with the passion and potential to teach are being encouraged to look at opportunities in England. The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) roadshow takes place in Belfast on Saturday April 12.

NCTL provides a comprehensive programme of support to help graduates become teachers, providing guidance all the way through the application process.

The Train to Teach roadshow gives new graduates and those considering a career change a chance to find out more about the rewards and opportunities a career in teaching offers.

Delegates can meet representatives from schools and universities who offer teacher training, including those involved in the School Direct route.

They can also meet working teachers and teaching experts who can answer questions about the profession and different training options available to them.

Adele Sampson is originally from Tyrone but trained to be a teacher at the University of Bristol. She now teaches modern foreign languages in Dorset. "I've always enjoyed working with people and since the age of 16 I've been involved with youth work. My family have always said that I'm suited to teaching but it wasn't until three years ago that I acted upon it," she said.

Train to Teach will take place on Saturday April 12 at The Hilton Hotel in Belfast from 9.30am to 4pm.

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Education minister John O'Dowd has highlighted a £11.5 million investment in 150 new school buses.

The minister made the announcement during a visit to Nu-Track Ltd in Antrim, one of the bus manufacturers supplying the vehicles.

The vehicles have all been built to European standards for safety, and include requirements such as seatbelts adjustable for children of all ages, enhanced lighting and signage, and digital CCTV systems. "The new buses, some of which are already in service, are fitted with additional safety features and enhancements," Mr O'Dowd said. "These include enhanced lighting and signage, which comply with recommendations on school bus safety, which are due to come into effect in September this year. "In addition, all seatbelts, which will be bright yellow in colour, are fully adjustable to safely accommodate pupils from primary 1 through to post-16 pupils."