Project to boost outstanding teaching, learning and assessment

£1 million is to be invested into post-16 technical and professional education and training this year to promote outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, thanks to a new programme from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).

Post-16 providers across the country will be able to access the funding, which is being delivered under contract by the Association of Colleges on behalf of ETF.

The project will run throughout 2017 and see 20 projects across England receive funding to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in post-16 technical and professional education and training. It will focus on supporting the development of teaching practice and stronger links with employers with the aim of working towards outstanding provision in the sector for all students on technical routes.

David Corke, Director of Policy of the Association of Colleges, said: “This £1 million investment into the post-16 sector is welcome news.  This project will develop the skills and knowledge of staff in readiness for the implementation of the Post-16 Skills Plan.  Students and employers will benefit from better teaching, learning and assessment in colleges and training providers. We are looking forward to working with participating providers to see how we can improve the systems in place and to share this across the sector.”

Paul Kessell-Holland, Head of Partnerships at the Education and Training Foundation, said: “The Education and Training Foundation is committed to improving teaching and learning across the FE and training sector. This project will focus on both apprenticeship and provider-based delivery, and reach across as wide a technical training and vocational skill range as possible. We seek to share the most effective practice found across our diverse sector, and also to engage teaching staff with employers, through longer term projects and dialogue that leads to a meaningful relationship.”

All post-16 training providers are invited to register to their interest in becoming part of this project via AoC’s website. 

About the Association of Colleges (AoC): AoC’s membership includes 308 colleges in England, including general further education, sixth form, tertiary and land-based colleges. It supports, represents and promotes the interests of its member colleges, as well as the rest of the FE sector.