Grants for Initial Teacher Training

Following extensive discussions with the department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), IfL will be administering government grants to offset the cost of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) for teachers who are studying a part-time, 'in-service', Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) from September 2010.

Further education (FE) providers will be able to claim a flat rate, non means tested, grant of up to £400 per individual teacher or trainer through IfL for those who are IfL members.

Lee Davies, IfL's deputy chief executive said, “IfL is pleased to be able to continue to administer this fee grant for BIS alongside the other work we do to to support the development of new teachers and trainers to the sector. Development of frontline staff in the further education and skills sector is critical in the current economic climate.”

New Funding for 2011-12

Further funding of £3.5m has been secured from BIS 2011-12 budgets to allow IfL to continue to offer fee grants for part time, in-service Diploma level ITT courses.

As the budget for 2011-12 is limited to £3.5m, IfL have been asked to ensure that spend is capped at that level. However, estimates based on last year’s expenditure show that this should be sufficient to meet most if not all of the expected demand. However we encourage employers to make claims as soon as possible after courses commence.

Funding for 2011-12 will be available to support both those starting year one of courses from 1 April 2011 – to 31 March 2012, and those starting year two from 1 September 2011 to 31 March 2012 (where the course first commenced from September 2010).

For further information please see our ITT Grant FAQs

Further information for employers is available in the employers' area.

For queries please contact FITT@ifl.ac.uk