IfL welcomes further education reform consultation

Thursday 18 August 2011

The Institute for Learning (IfL) has welcomed the government’s New Challenges, New Chances consultation, which is intended to take its skills for sustainable growth strategy further by making detailed proposals in a number of areas, including the promotion of high-quality teaching and learning at all levels of the adult education system.

IfL’s deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, said, “IfL welcomes the FE and skills minister’s strong and continuing personal commitment to further education, and his recognition of its enormous contribution to people’s happiness and to the country’s wellbeing, growth and prosperity.

“The government’s decision to invest in at least 250,000 more apprenticeships over the next four years makes it all the more important that the very best vocational experts are inspired to want to come and teach or train in FE. The consultation makes explicit reference to the requirement for teachers and trainers to maintain ‘dual professionalism’ and the fact that expertise in vocational subjects relies on constant interaction between the sector and industry, so that curricula remain up to date and relevant to employers.

“We are pleased to see confirmation of the government’s intention to strengthen vocational teaching in schools, including by recognising teachers with Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status to teach in schools.

“IfL is working with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service to continue advancing the quality of initial teacher training in the FE and skills sector. Since the beginning of April 2011, we have been responsible for maintaining the quality assurance arrangements for endorsing qualifications offered by providers of initial teacher training, including the creation and maintenance of a register of approved teaching qualifications for further education and skills.

“With the introduction of new fees and loans arrangements for higher education, IfL is also working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to ensure that initial teacher training for further education continues to deliver the highest quality teachers and trainers. IfL is keen that ongoing investment in recruiting and training experts from business, industry, commerce and other areas, such as the voluntary sector, should not be impeded by changes to HE funding.

“The consultation paper talks about harnessing the expertise of outstanding practitioners in the sector, and IfL will ensure that its members, FE teaching and training professionals, are engaged in the dialogue about driving improvement, delivering inspiring learning and designing innovative curricula. We plan to consult widely with members, to afford them a strong and influential voice in our formal response to the consultation.”