Metalwork lessons have been cancelled at a north-east school due to a shortage of staff.
Three of Peterhead Academy’s five technical teachers have left in the past month, leaving the department unable to cover the classes.
The local authority has been struggling to fill vacancies across the region for years, particularly in north Aberdeenshire.
And now fears have been raised that pupils’ prospects could be damaged if they are missing out on classes – and that local businesses may also suffer in the future.
North East MSP Peter Chapman met the school’s head teacher, Shona Sellars, to discuss the issue.
He feels that as well as school pupils, businesses based in Europe’s biggest fishing port could be missing out on the next generation of apprentices.
Mr Chapman said: “We should be doing all we can to encourage young people into technical subjects and onto vocational training.
“We have well-documented problems recruiting teachers in the north-east, but this problem appears to be getting worse, not better.
“In Peterhead, metalwork classes have stopped because the school lost three of its five technical teachers in the space of a month.
“If pupils are not able to take the relevant classes to qualify for an apprenticeship, there will be a damaging knock-on effect for local businesses.
“This SNP government must act to get more teachers trained through local universities so that our young people do not miss out.”
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council it was “unfortunate” they had unfilled teaching posts at the school pupils were still able to learn technical skills.
He said: “Whilst it is unfortunate that we have vacancies within the department, the technical faculty at Peterhead Academy still offers National Qualifications in practical woodworking skills, graphic communication and engineering science.
“Skills for Work Engineering and Energy for Girls is also offered at the school and is delivered by NESCol. Pupils therefore still have a variety of choices in the way they can study technology.
“There are also extra-curricular activities that also give pupils the chance to enhance their technical skills. Peterhead Academy continues to work closely with the community and businesses to ensure pupils have as far as possible the relevant skills for learning, life and work.”
