The Education Training Foundation (ETF), the professional body for the further education (FE) and skills workforce, has launched its Achieving Social Value in Further Education and Skills report, an analysis of how the sector drives social, economic, and environmental wellbeing across the UK.

Drawing on insights from 175 research respondents, the report demonstrates the transformative impact of FE and skills provision, not only in equipping learners with qualifications for a dynamic economy, but in strengthening communities, fostering social inclusion, and supporting local and national prosperity.

The report comes at a pivotal moment for the sector, following the publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and prime minister Kier Starmer’s pledge in September to make FE a ‘defining cause’ of this Government. To ensure the sector and its workforce can scale their impact and drive forward the Government’s ambitions for inclusive growth, ETF is calling for a shared framework to improve how the sector understands and measures social value.

The report argues that better data will guide investment and shape a smarter workforce development strategy for those who work in FE and skills, unlocking the sector’s ability to drive opportunity, equity and progress for all. Its recommendations are: 

  • a common measurement approach for social value, co-designed with sector leaders, practitioners and government

  • improved data collection to build a longitudinal evidence base 

  • the embedding of social value into institutional planning, workforce development, and funding decisions 

  • a national knowledge base to evaluate what works and scale impact. 

ETF’s Executive Director of Education and Standards, Dr Vikki Smith, said: ‘This report reaffirms what those in the sector already know: FE and skills changes lives, strengthens communities, and underpins local and national economic growth. ETF’s mission is to support the educators, leaders and providers who deliver this impact every day. We will continue to collaborate with partners to build the systems, insights, evidence and infrastructure needed to realise the sector’s full potential in enabling the aspirations of individuals, employers, and their communities.’ 

Access the full report and data summary on ETF’s website.