Setting off into a classroom or school staffroom for the first time can be hair-raising. But, never fear, a pack has just been launched to take the sting out of those lonely winter mornings up at the blackboard.

Up to 3,000 copies of the pack, which contains information about issues such as contracts, working conditions and entitlements, will be sent to all trainee and first-time teachers this week. It has been produced by the ASTI.

The pack includes a clear and very useful wall-chart illustrating the different categories of part-time and temporary teachers, the corresponding category entitlements, and facts about sick pay, holiday pay, tax free allowance, legal rights, public holidays, appointment duration and social welfare benefits. There are also tables with information on the teachers' common basic scale as well as the academic qualification allowances.

The pack's accompanying booklet, with zippy and colourful graphics by David Joyce and Adam May, includes sections on how to find employment as a teacher, information on the redeployment scheme for teachers and registration requirements and guidelines for successful teachers.

The pack also explains how the ASTI operates, how it tries to ensure that your voice is heard, the support and advice it offers and information about ASTI personnel.

Early next year - on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19th and 20th - an in-service course will be held for facilitators on integrating young teachers into the life of a school. A second induction course will be run on Thursday and Friday, March 4th and 5th.