WIREDGOV

Monday 13 July 2009 was a landmark occasion for teachers and trainers in the further education and skills sector. The Institute for Learning (IfL) hosted an awards ceremony in Westminster for the first ever group of teachers and trainers in the sector to complete the professional formation process and gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status. Formal recognition of full professional status, awarded by IfL, puts FE teachers and trainers on a par with other professionals.


As the professional body for teachers and trainers in the further education and skills sector, IfL is responsible for conferring QTLS or ATLS status, a new requirement for those joining the sector after September 2007, and open to all teachers and trainers across the sector.


The first round of applications resulted in 111 successful awards, of which 106 were QTLS and the rest ATLS. Sixty-six of the pioneers attended the ceremony, with their guests, to receive their awards from the chair of IfL's Council, Sue Crowley.


Engin Mustafa, head of learning and development for a large private sector company, explained why he had joined IfL and undertaken professional formation although not obliged to do so. "IfL has begun a journey that will change the landscape of adult learning, ultimately cutting across all boundaries and sectors. QTLS status is just as relevant to teachers, trainers and tutors in FE as it is in industry and will fast become the currency of teaching professionalism, wherever adult educators work. For me it is about leading by example and providing quality adult teaching practice, endorsed by a professional body that allows formal recognition for all those who join and adhere to its high standards."


IfL's chief executive, Toni Fazaeli, said, "This is a proud day indeed for the FE and skills sector. For the first time, teachers and trainers in our sector have formal recognition of their full professional status and their dual professionalism, a marriage of subject expertise with teaching skills, knowledge and experience. The award by IfL of QTLS is an important step towards our goal of parity of esteem with other professions and the mutual recognition of professional status between schoolteachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and those with QTLS who teach in FE and skills.


"We believe that by raising the standing of FE and skills teachers and trainers, the profession will increasingly be seen as a career of choice. Teachers and trainers in the sector should be highly valued for their work with learners and for the contribution they make to the well-being of the nation, its citizens and the economy. Irrespective of the part of the sector in which they work, teachers and trainers should be recognised as well-qualified and up-to-date, modern professionals. IfL members – over 192,000 teachers and trainers – have an ongoing commitment to lifelong professional development."




NOTES TO EDITORS


Teachers and trainers who gained their initial teaching qualifications after September 2007 are required to achieve QTLS or ATLS status within five years of employment in the sector. Although it is not mandatory for them, existing teachers are also encouraged to become licensed practitioners, as this will become the benchmark for the sector.


Press-quality photos are available on request.


About IfL

The Institute for Learning (IfL) was formed in 2002 and is the professional body for teachers, tutors, trainers and student teachers in the further education and skills sector, including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning.


All FE college teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision are required to register as members of IfL, undertake continuing professional development (CPD) each year and abide by the IfL Code of Professional Practice. As a key partner in delivering workforce reform, IfL is responsible for managing the registration process and for conferring licensed practitioner status.


An independent professional body, IfL is governed by an elected council and works closely with several sector organisations, unions and employer bodies.


CONTACT


Press office:


Lindsay Baugh 07736 246 697 or 01707 392 552

Email lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk 


Membership and other enquiries:


The Institute for Learning

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49-51 East Road

London

N1 6AH


Telephone: 0844 815 3202

Website: www.ifl.ac.uk 

Email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk