IfL grants honorary memberships

Monday 5 October 2009

Bill Rammell MP, former minister for lifelong learning, and Sue Dutton, former deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges, have accepted honorary memberships of the Institute for Learning (IfL), the professional body for teachers, trainers and assessors throughout the further education and skills sector. They were offered honorary membership in recognition of their commitment to IfL members, more than 195,000 professional teachers and trainers in FE and skills who make a vital contribution to the nation’s well-being and economy. 

Mr Rammell said, "The Institute for Learning represents an important step forward in enhancing professional development. I greatly enjoyed my time as minister of state for lifelong learning, further and higher education, and I found my contacts with so many dedicated and committed educational professionals immensely rewarding. I am delighted and honoured to have received honorary membership of IfL."

Ms Dutton said, “I am delighted to accept. Please thank the Council and the membership on my behalf for this tremendous honour. I really enjoyed working with everyone at the start of it all and know from the feedback I receive that IfL is and will continue to be at the leading edge of professional bodies.”

Sue Crowley, the chair of IfL's Council, said, "Awarding honorary membership is our way of recognising the enormous contributions that Bill Rammell and Sue Dutton made to the establishment and development of IfL, the professional body for teachers and trainers across the diverse FE and skills sector. They join a small, select group of honorary IfL members, and we are delighted that they have both accepted this honour."

Notes to Editors

  1. Bill Rammell has been the Labour Member of Parliament for Harlow since May 1997. He is currently minister of state for the armed forces at the Ministry of Defence, and was the minister of state for lifelong learning, further and higher education at the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) from May 2005 until October 2008.

  2. Sue Dutton joined the Association of Colleges in June 1993 and was appointed deputy chief executive in 1997, a role she held until she left in 2008. She was a founding member of the IfL Transitional Council in 2002, and has consistently championed the organisation at all levels and opened many doors for IfL. IfL appreciates her contributions as a director and as chair of the audit committee until her resignation in 2008.
About IfL

The Institute for Learning (IfL) was formed in 2002 and is the professional body for teachers, tutors, trainers and student teachers in the further education and skills sector, including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning.

All FE college teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision are required to register as members of IfL, undertake continuing professional development (CPD) each year and abide by the IfL Code of Professional Practice. As a key partner in delivering workforce reform, IfL is responsible for managing the registration process and for conferring licensed practitioner status – Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS).

The standard membership fee of £30 is paid by individuals or by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) for teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision, as an investment in professionalism.

An independent professional body, IfL is governed by an elected Council and works closely with several sector organisations, unions and employer bodies.

Contact

Press office:

Lindsay Baugh: 07736 246 697 or 01707 392 552

Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk