The Education Training Foundation (ETF) extends its warmest congratulations to all those celebrating a significant career milestone as they are awarded Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. The cohort that received their results on 6 August began the QTLS programme in January 2025 and 480 individuals achieved QTLS status.
QTLS is a recognised professional status granted to individuals in the further education (FE) and skills sector who have successfully completed a six-month period of professional formation based on ETF’s Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers. All individuals who achieve QTLS status, and who continue to maintain this status through their membership, are also issued with a Teacher Reference Number and will appear on both our members’ professional status register and the Department for Education’s central record of qualified teachers.
Impact data from previous cohorts shows that 99% of professionals who achieved QTLS said it had a positive impact on their teaching practice. This year’s submissions demonstrated good quality across the board, with review and moderation teams reporting some outstanding and inspirational submissions from members. Continuing professional development activities undertaken as part of the professional formation process had a clear and positive impact on participants’ teaching practice and on their learners.
ETF’s CEO, Dr Katerina Kolyva, said: “As the sector’s professional body, ETF ensures through its professional statuses that all sector practitioners are fully equipped to progress in their careers. Achieving QTLS is a key landmark in the career journey of an FE and skills teacher. QTLS enhances professional recognition, supports career progression, and demonstrates commitment to excellence in FE and skills. Our latest cohort of 480 members awarded QTLS this August now joins the growing community of 27,851 skilled teachers with QTLS status dedicated to transforming lives in their communities and beyond.”
For more information on the QTLS programme, including eligibility criteria and application details, and to find out how achieving this professional status can benefit you and your learners, please visit the QTLS webpage. The application window for the next cohort, which gets underway in January 2026, is open from 11 August to 27 October 2025.