Tuesday, 20 October 2009 07:59 The Institute for Learning (IfL) has published its first review since the introduction of membership for all teachers and trainers across the FE and skills sector.

The report covers the years 2008 and 2009, and reveals how the professional body is making a difference to its members.

"In our first year of full membership we have, with our members, raised the profile of teachers and trainers nationally, and I am pleased that we are providing services that members value and that help their teaching and training," says IfL's chief executive Toni Fazaeli.

Almost 200,000 individuals are now part of IfL, and 90 per cent of them were found to value the benefits being a member gives them. Another achievement highlighted in the impact review shows how 80,000 members are using its personal learning space, REfLECT, to plan, review and record their continuing professional development (CPD).

Ms Fazaeli continued: "We support our members’ professional practice, for those just entering the profession of teaching and training, through to those very experienced practitioners who are role models and support others. Every milestone and improvement achieved by IfL has been with the support of our members, and I am enormously encouraged by their enthusiasm for professional development and belonging to their own professional body, and for doing the very best they can for their learners.

"Teachers and trainers in further education and skills make an enormous contribution to the social and economic well-being of our nation. I have every confidence that IfL members’ commitment to the highest levels of professional teaching and training, with practice continually updated by their own professional development, ensures that young people and adults of all ages have the education and skills they need."