Technical Teaching Fellowships applications opened: Supporting the progression of learners to higher levels of #STEM

Technical Teaching Fellowships applications opened by the Education and Training Foundation and Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) have opened applications for technical teachers with exceptional practice to apply for a Technical Teaching Fellowship.

The ETF in partnership with the  Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 launched the Technical Teaching Fellowship programme in June 2018 to celebrate, develop and disseminate exceptional practice in technical teaching.

The scheme is designed to support and empower the industrial and technical expertise of individuals, who support the progression of learners to higher levels of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) study and employment.

The first three Fellowships were awarded on 31 January 2019 to James Maltby (Plumpton College), Stephen Mariadas (Exeter College) and David Martin (City and Islington College) at an event held at The Royal Society in London. The Technical Teaching Fellowships were awarded following a rigorous selection process. The Fellows were recognised as outstanding practitioners, with high impact teaching practice who deliver effective outcomes for their learners.

Cerian Ayres, Head of Technical Education at the Education and Training Foundation, said:

“The Education and Training Foundation are very pleased to be able to invite applications from technical teachers with exceptional practice for a second year. It is incredibly important that teachers are recognised for their delivery of excellence in education and training. Their work should be celebrated and widely disseminated, so that colleagues nationally can benefit from effective practice sharing. We look forward to receiving your applications for the 2020- 2021 Technical Teaching Fellowship Awards.”

Nigel Williams, Secretary of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, said:

“The young scientists and engineers that form the future of Britain’s science and technology rely on the excellence of those who train them. We hope that, by helping to improve the quality of technical teaching at further education colleges, students will be inspired to pursue careers that enrich British industry.”

The Technical Teaching Fellowship is a prestigious award that will only be granted to applicants who have met the high standards required by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 selection panel.

On being awarded a Fellowship, successful applicants will:

• receive an award of £5,000 – £15,000 to support activity and to ensure remission time is guaranteed
• develop “Pathways to Impact” knowledge transfer activity plans, to maximise the benefit of their Fellowships
• attend two one-day developmental workshops over the academic year 2019/2020
• be allocated a programme mentor to support them for the duration of the programme
• be expected to disseminate their work at national conferences in January and July 2020
• contribute to the delivery of a final report, written to engage and motivate technical education in their area of practice.

The ETF are currently receiving expressions of interest for the programme until 31 July 2019. The deadline for full 2020-2021 Technical Teaching Fellowship applications is 4pm on 18 October 2019.

The Fellowships will commence in the 2012/21 academic year. The awardees will be made Fellows of the Society for Education and Training (SET) and will be awarded a year’s free membership.

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851’s mission is to “increase the means of industrial education and extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry” through postgraduate Fellowships and Scholarships for advanced study and research in science, engineering, and a small number of Special Awards.

Many of these are focused on raising awareness of career paths and opportunities presented by science and engineering to young people.