Organisations can now sign up to the Taking Teaching Further programme, announced last month by the Department for Education (DfE). This programme is aimed at encouraging industry experts to become teachers and trainers in the FE sector including providing financial support to enable this.
The programme will be focused on four key sectors, including the first technical routes to be introduced (other STEM subject areas will also be considered where clear evidence exists for why they are hard-to-fill vacancies): Childcare and Education; Digital; Construction; Engineering & Manufacturing.
Strand 2 of the programme offers financial support for up to 40 innovative and scalable projects that help organisations like yours develop local partnerships and collaborations between industry and the FE sector.
You can also apply for Strand 1 which offers financial support to FE organisations to fund up to five industry experts to become FE teachers, covering the course costs of teacher training as well as support and mentoring.
The two-year programme has been commissioned by the DfE and is being managed by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF). The ETF, alongside the Association of Colleges, also played a key role in developing the programme.
The programme is open to all FE providers, including general and specialist colleges, national colleges, independent training providers, employer-led, third-sector or local authority providers, and adult and community learning organisations. Employers working in collaboration with sector colleagues to support learner progression in skills shortage areas are encouraged to apply. The fund of up to £5 million will be available through a competitive process.
The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 27 July 2018.
Full application guidance, and a recorded webinar can also be found on the ETF website here. if you would like a hard copy of the prospectus or you have any other questions regarding the programme contact the ETF here.