PRESS RELEASE - Communicating a welcome step towards reform

The Institute for Learning (IfL) welcomes the newly published roadmap of activity which helps the sector in its preparations for the implementation of new teaching qualifications and profession status from September this year.  

The IfL has been working with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) and other partner organisations to deliver the learning and skills sector reforms outlined in Equipping our teachers for the future and the roadmap is an important part of this project.

From September 2007 new and unqualified teachers, trainers and tutors within the lifelong learning sector will be required to achieve the initial award 'preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector' followed by a qualification appropriate to their role.

Existing teachers working in a full teaching role, whether full time or part rime, will have the opportunity to gain QTLS status (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) through professional recognition of their qualifications and experience.

The roadmap which has been published in partnership by the DfES, LLUK and IfL, clearly outlines what will happen when and gives anticipated dates for further publication of guidance, support systems and other information. It should confirm that whilst the needs of new entrants are accommodated through the new qualifications, the existing workforce will be able to become licensed practitioners through a professional recognition scheme which will allow existing qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience to be considered within an application for QTLS. The Institute is confident that this will lead to sustained professionalisation of the entire learning and skills workforce.

Lee Davies, Operations Manager at IfL says "With less than six month's to go before the launch of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status, the Institute for Learning is delighted to be working with its partner organisations, the Department for Education and Skills and Lifelong Learning UK, to ensure the sector receives the most up-to-date information as the impact of the reform agenda becomes clear.

After long years of debate and discussion we are at last addressing teacher professionalism as the central plank of the quality improvement agenda.  Only by recognising and investing in the professionalism of our teaching practitioners can we truly bring about excellence in the classroom, workshop, workplace or wherever learning takes place.

Communication is the key to successfully implementing the reform agenda and I hope this joined-up approach to centralising information, coupled with the efforts the Institute is making to speak to teachers, managers and leaders 'on the ground', raises the profile of QTLS status and the emerging model of teacher professionalism at the time colleges and other providers are planning their responses for September 2007"