Ford workers who lost their jobs at the Dagenham plant in Essex yesterday aim to help the government drive to recruit 10,000 teachers.

The car group said financial support was already being given to some of the 1,100 staff leaving the company so they could retrain for the education service.

One manager started a part-time teacher training course at nearby Epping College in September, an engineer has been doing a teacher training certificate and a third worker this month started part-time training to become a class room assistant and will go full time from next week.

Jeff Body, operations manager at Ford who is himself retiring, said he thought staff at Dagenham would make good teachers. "Building a car involves teamwork and respect for your fellow colleagues."

The teacher training agency said: "We are interested in anyone able and committed to teaching as a career."

Not all Ford workers have been enticed by pay incentives for teachers. Ford says many are moving into other areas of engineering and electrical work. At least one plans to become a dog handler.