Bracknell-based education recruitment firm Eteach has joined forces with the Catholic Education Service (CES) to streamline the recruitment process for Catholic schools.

The new online application platform aims to address the ongoing teacher shortage by providing a more efficient and accessible way for schools to attract top talent. Traditionally, Catholic schools have relied on paper-based applications, a time-consuming process for both schools and applicants.

Eteach’s platform, which is optimised for mobile use, offers a range of features including built-in equal opportunities monitoring and Welsh language translation. It has already been adopted by over 400 schools and has received the endorsement of Churchmarketplace, a non-profit organisation supporting Catholic institutions.

The partnership comes as the government faces criticism for missing its target for secondary teacher trainees last year. With over 50,000 teaching roles in Catholic schools across the country, the new platform is seen as a significant step forward in addressing the recruitment crisis.

Paul Howells, founder and CEO of Eteach, said: “We’re delighted to introduce our CES-approved online application form, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Catholic schools, as the latest product to our award-winning applicant tracking system.

“The whole initiative ensures a seamless journey for candidates, ultimately fostering a faster, more efficient application process for Catholic school candidates. By using technology effectively, schools will lessen the impact of staff shortages and reduce costs.”