Why are TA roles seen as temporary?

[cakedup]

I'm looking for work and considering TA positions. I've noticed a lot of the job ads say things like "a great way to kick-start your career in teaching" or "looking for a way to gain experience in a school prior to teacher training?".

I definitely don't want to be a teacher, but wondering why a TA role is not seen as an end role in itself, rather than a pathway to a teaching career. Some even seem to prefer candidates who are wanting to end up as teachers.

Often attached to children or specific projects.

It's a great way for trainee teachers to gain teaching experience so this is stated.
you don't have to want to be a teacher.
To confuse things more, there are many qualified teachers who have left teaching and are now TA's.
you can go for a position and find it's taken by a teacher, especially if it's advertised for a specific school and not agency.

there are many qualified teachers who have left teaching and are now TA's. That doesn't surprise me in the slightest! I was just telling my mum, being a TA is a bit like being a grandparent; you get all the best bits without the huge responsibility and long hours!

Oh yes that's a point TheDrsDocMartens, I have seen some TA roles attached to specific children.

Funding is linked to a specific student, or sometimes sourced form pupil premium - both of which fluctuate on a yearly basis.

There is probably a perception that you attract better candidates if it is a stepping stone to a more qualified career. Whether that actually is the case, I've no idea.

I am applying for a cover supervisor job, you don't need to be a teacher as it is only covering, baby sitting really.
The work is already prepared and the cv photo copies it for students, no teaching at all.

I am a qualified teacher who would much prefer this to teaching and the environment I came from, this is better paid tbh.
There will be lots of other teachers applying for the same job.

you can usually tell as it will say funded until x time, which means it's for a particular child, not the full class.

I'm surprised to hear you don't have to be a qualified teacher to be a cover supervisor NewLife4Me!

There is no teaching involved cakedup

All you do is hand out pre prepared work from the teacher. There's no marking, you don't even have to know about the curriculum but and course you pick it up from the various classes you cover.
It involves things like supervising breakfast and after school activities, detention, playground duty.
Photo copying work, taking registers, obviously knowing emergency procedures.
Supporting the policies and procedures of the school, I think that's about it.
Oh, some that work in secondary also invigilate for exams.

There's a difference between a teaching (teacher's assistant) and a LSA (learning support worker). LSAs are attached to specific children and are there to ensure that those children with additional needs are able to access the curriculum.

Here all advertised jobs are referred to by grade , LSA isn't used so it can be a regional thing in adverts.