ETF Launches 'Together We Transform' to Empower FE Trainers

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the expert body for professional development and standards in Further Education (FE) and Training in England, has unveiled its ambitious new strategy, titled 'Together We Transform.' This initiative outlines the ETF's plans to champion the crucial role of educators and leaders within the FE and skills sector, ultimately aiming to transform the lives of learners aged 14 and over.

With a renewed commitment to collaborative partnerships, the strategy sets out a bold ambition to drive professionalism, improve teaching and learning, champion inclusion, and enable sector-wide change for a thriving FE and skills landscape.

Key Pillars of the New Strategy

The 'Together We Transform' strategy, developed following extensive consultation with sector organisations and practitioners, focuses on four core strategic goals:

  • Drive Professionalism: The ETF will champion professionalism and expand the evidence base of education and leadership practice, positioning FE and skills as a rewarding career destination.
  • Improve Teaching and Learning: Ensuring consistency in learner experience is paramount. This goal involves setting clear competencies and conduct required to enter and maintain professional status within FE and skills.
  • Champion Inclusion: The strategy aims to tackle inequalities within the FE and skills workforce, fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment.
  • Enable Sector Change: By supporting high-quality leadership and governance, and embracing technological advancements, the ETF seeks to facilitate systemic change for a robust FE and skills system.

Dr. Katerina Kolyva, CEO of the ETF, emphasised that the strategy puts the sector first, working in partnership to drive professionalism and build a strong professional identity for all those working in FE and skills.

Ongoing Initiatives and Impact on Trainer Development

The ETF's commitment to enhancing professional development for FE trainers is long-standing. Their Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers, updated in May 2022, serve as a vital framework for self-assessment and continuous professional development. These standards were co-designed with the sector in 2014 and revised to reflect the evolving educational landscape, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging concerns around learner wellbeing.

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The Society for Education and Training (SET), part of the ETF, boasts over 22,000 members, making it the largest professional membership body for educators in the post-14 sector. Through SET, a growing number of educators are achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS). As of March 2023, 629 individuals with industry expertise were recruited into the sector through the 'Taking Teaching Further' programme, highlighting the ETF's efforts in workforce recruitment and retention.

Furthermore, the ETF continues to drive digital skills enhancement across the workforce. Their EdTech Professional Development programme saw over 15,000 FE professionals engage with its resources by late 2023, crucial for integrating technology into teaching and learning. The 'Enhance Digital Teaching Platform,' launched in 2019, offers free online training modules based on the ETF's Digital Teaching Professional Framework, with 24 modules currently available and more being added regularly.

The ETF's work directly impacts the quality of training across the FE sector. By providing structured professional development, it assists trainers in meeting regulatory requirements set by bodies such as Ofsted in England and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) in Ireland, both of which stress the importance of ongoing development for teaching staff.

Trainers seeking to further their professional development and stay abreast of the latest industry standards can find valuable resources and accredited courses through organisations like Abertay Training. Abertay Training offers a comprehensive range of train-the-trainer courses across the UK and Ireland, covering various specialisms such as first aid, manual handling, and health & safety.