The role of professionalism across the FE and Skills sector

Dr Vikki Smith, Executive Director of Education and Standards at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), attended the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) conference in November and shares her reflections on the theme of professionalism in the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector.

On Thursday, 26 November, ETF was proud to contribute to a panel discussion at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) conference, exploring the theme of professionalism in the FE and Skills sector. As the sector’s workforce development body, ETF places professionalism at the heart of everything we do and our commitment is captured in strategy. But what does professionalism mean to us, and how do we support its development across the FE and Skills sector?

ETF’s strategic focus

ETF’s strategy is built around four key priorities that define our commitment to professionalism and guide our support for the sector:

1. Driving professionalism
   Professionalism is at the core of all we do. Through our professional standards, and through our Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS), we set clear benchmarks for quality and provide educators with a pathway to demonstrate their expertise and commitment.
2. Improving teaching and learning
   Exceptional teaching and learning are hallmarks of professionalism. ETF’s CPD programmes empower educators to enhance their practice, adapt to new challenges, and deliver meaningful outcomes for learners at every stage of their career.
3. Championing inclusion
   Professionalism includes a commitment to ethical practice and valuing diversity. ETF’s work to champion inclusion ensures that the sector reflects and respects the communities it serves, promoting equity and accessibility across teaching and leadership.
4. Enabling sector change
   Professionalism also means being ready to lead and adapt. ETF supports the sector in embracing innovation, addressing sustainability, and responding to societal and economic shifts. This includes helping educators integrate emerging technologies and prepare learners for future opportunities.

Together, these priorities create a foundation for professionalism that is dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to the sector’s needs.

Professionalism defined

But what is ‘professionalism’? Professionalism is more than technical competence; it is a combination of knowledge, values, behaviours, and commitments that underpin excellence in any field. For ETF, professionalism in the FE and Skills sector is about:

1. Competence and expertise: ensuring educators and leaders have the skills and knowledge needed to inspire learners and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy – this is true for subject specialisms and well as for pedagogy.
2. Ethics and integrity: fostering trust and fairness in the sector but also in teaching, leadership, and decision-making.
3. Respect and empathy: promoting inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration within the workforce.
4. Reliability and responsibility: upholding accountability and delivering consistently high standards of work.
5. Adaptability and innovation: embracing change, leveraging technology, and driving improvements in practice.

These principles underpin ETF’s vision for a professional workforce that delivers real value to learners, employers, and communities.

ETF’s role in supporting professionalism

ETF plays a central role in embedding professionalism across the FE and Skills sector. This includes:

• Setting and championing standards

Professional standards like QTLS and ATS enable individuals to benchmark their progress, celebrate their achievements, and ensure their impact on learners is measurable and meaningful.

• Supporting continuous development

Professionalism requires growth. ETF offers CPD opportunities, from subject-specific courses to leadership development, ensuring the workforce is equipped to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

• Driving inclusion and ethical practice

Through initiatives such as our Inclusive Leadership programme our cultural competence webinars, ETF reinforces the ethical dimensions of professionalism, helping to build a workforce that is representative, fair, and inclusive.

Insights from the FAB panel discussion

At the FAB conference, our panel discussion explored professionalism from multiple angles. Key insights included:

• Professionalism is the cornerstone of the FE and Skills sector’s civic mission, which extends beyond education into areas of social value, economic development, and community cohesion.
• Ongoing investment in workforce development is essential to sustaining high standards and ensuring the sector’s long-term impact.
• Collaboration is critical to fostering a shared commitment to excellence.

ETF’s strategy, with its emphasis on driving professionalism, improving teaching and learning, championing inclusion, and enabling sector change, directly supports these goals and reflects our broader vision for the sector.

Looking ahead

Professionalism is the bedrock of a successful and sustainable FE and Skills sector. At ETF, we remain committed to supporting the workforce in building a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation. Together, we can ensure the sector continues to deliver real and lasting value for learners, employers, and communities.

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