The Education Training Foundation (ETF) launches its latest Impact Report today, highlighting its work in driving professionalism, improving teaching and learning, championing inclusion and enabling change for a robust further education (FE) and skills sector.

Covering activity in 2023/24, the report details how ETF has supported teachers, leaders, governors and support staff to deliver the best experiences and outcomes for FE and Skills learners, enabling the delivery of wider benefits for our society and economy as a result.

Last year, ETF’s work drove professionalism through our professional standards and statuses: 

  • 626 FE and Skills practitioners were awarded Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, and 27 professionals achieved Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) 
  • 100% of those who achieved ATS said that it has had a positive impact on their practice, learners and colleagues 
  • 99% of professionals who achieved QTLS said it has had a positive impact on their teaching practice 

As a result [of undertaking ATS], a culture of learning as flourished within my organisation, yielding positive effects on both student learning outcomes and the overall organisational climate.

2023/24 ATS participant

ETF also improved teaching and learning by developing the FE and skills workforce to deliver T Levels, Apprenticeships and other qualifications.

  • 92% of professionals said taking part in ETF’s maths, English and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) continuing professional development (CPD) will have a positive impact on their professional practice 
  • 94% of participants agreed they would apply their learning from the Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme to inform and influence their future planning 
  • There were over 11,000 engagements from participants in the T Level Professional Development (TLPD) programme and 95% were satisfied with the delivery

[I have learnt how to] become a more strategic leader! I know when to take the lead and when to step back and influence and enable others.

Strateguc Innovation fot Skills leadership programme participant

In 2023/24, ETF continued to champion inclusion by supporting SEND learners and promoting inclusive and anti-racist leadership: 

  • 96% of those who attended a SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) professional development activity said it will have a positive impact on their professional practice 
  • We commissioned the Association of Colleges (AoC) to run our Inclusive Leadership programme, and 58% of participants engaged were from global majority backgrounds 

[Gaining QTLS] has enriched the ways I engage with students and greatly boosted my confidence in my broader teaching practice.

QTLS participant

ETF also enabled sector change by supporting high quality leadership and governance, and driving forwards practitioner research in the sector to enable continuous improvement:

  • 95% of leaders said they are more knowledgeable and better equipped to meet the responsibilities of their role after taking part in a leadership programme
  • 94% of governance participants said they are more knowledgeable and better equipped to meet the responsibilities of their role 
  • Over 190 FE professionals were supported to develop their research ideas and complete either a one-year MA Short Course or a two-year MPhil qualification through our Practitioner Research Programme (PRP) since it launched in 2018

I was able to refresh my existing knowledge regarding the paperwork now used in my industry and the equipment that is now used. I also gained some valuable new techniques for teaching some key skills to the T Level learners.

TLP participant

Read more about ETF’s impact in 2023/24 in our latest Impact Report, available on the ETF website.