Teachers and Trainers urged to start 2018 by getting the recognition they deserve

New Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status window open until 31 January 

There is under one month for practitioners working in the post-16 Further Education and Training sector to register in the current window to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), the nationally-recognised professional status for teachers and trainers in the Further Education (FE) and Training sector. The window closes on 31 January 2018 and applications can be made via the main Society for Education and Training (SET) website.

Once you are a SET member you can take the opportunity to sign up for QTLS. This is the badge of professionalism for practitioners in the Further Education and Training sector. Achieving QTLS signals to your employers and colleagues your commitment to excellence. For your own self-development and added impact to your teaching, achieving QTLS is the ideal goal to set yourself for 2018.

Over 20,000 practitioners already hold this nationally-recognised status, enabling them to develop and demonstrate their skills and knowledge. As well as enhancing job prospects, achieving QTLS signals to employers and colleagues a commitment to excellence, and the additional impact this brings to teaching and training. In fact, 88% of successful applicants say that QTLS has had a positive impact on their practice.

What are the key benefits of QTLS?

• Enhances career prospects, using QTLS as a professional designation.
• Provides valuable continuing professional development (CPD) that will enhance knowledge and skills, and build confidence.
• Recognised in law as equivalent to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) for teaching in schools.
• Allows progression towards Advanced Teacher Status (ATS), which recognises mastery level expertise.

As part of the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), SET is the only organisation that can confer this badge of professionalism, allowing teachers and trainers to gain the professional recognition they deserve and signal to employers their commitment to excellence.

Tim Weiss, Director of Business Development, Membership and Communications at the ETF, said: “As well as enabling teachers and trainers to continue improving their practice, QTLS ensures they get the professional recognition they deserve. More and more employers are also placing importance on the status as a key part of their recruitment criteria. For your own self-development and added impact to your teaching, achieving QTLS is the ideal goal to set yourself for 2018. We strongly encourage teachers or trainers who are unsure about any part of the professional formation process to get in touch with the SET team who are here to guide you along the way.”  

Calvin Maye, Management Information Systems Manager, gained QTLS recently. He said: “QTLS is a fantastic way to not only unlock and improve your teaching practice, but it is a great industry-recognised qualification. It will enhance your reputation and career prospects as well as demonstrate to your learners your continued dedication to improving teaching and learning.”

Alessia Di Meo, Functional Skills tutor, also gained QTLS also recently. She said: “While undertaking QTLS, I liked the fact that I was in charge of how my professionalism was demonstrated to my mentor. This increased my self-esteem and confidence. I would recommend QTLS because it has been very rewarding and fulfilling. Employers are looking for staff who are committed to CPD. Holding QTLS has definitely boosted my job prospects.”

About the Education and Training Foundation: The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) was established in October 2013 and is the Government-backed, sector-owned national support body for the Further Education and Training sector. The charity works with teachers, trainers, leaders and employers to help them deliver excellent further and vocational education and training. This includes through setting professional standards, workforce development, supporting sector change and providing data and research.

About the Society for Education and Training: The Society for Education and Training (SET) is the professional membership organisation for over 16,000 practitioners working in the Further Education and Training sector. It is managed by the Education and Training Foundation.