New Impact Report released by the ETF

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has released its annual Impact Report for the 2020/21 financial year. 

The report, prepared for the ETF by independent research consultants SQW, brings together an array of data and evidence on the ETF’s workforce development programmes. 

Using statistics, evaluation reports and case studies, the report showcases how the ETF and the Society for Education and Training (SET) have supported the Further Education and Training industry, notably during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The report assesses the impact of the organisation’s work during a challenging year in which the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were severely felt across the sector. National lockdowns followed by the uncertainty of local lockdowns, furloughing of employer partners and the transition to digital learning all created challenges across the sector.  

All professional development programmes offered by the ETF continued during this period, with a transition to online learning and assessment. The move to online teaching was supported through a SET campaign to bring resources as well as emotional and wellbeing support to the workforce.  

During the year, the ETF also recommitted to pursuing an agenda strongly supportive of equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as focusing on the key role played by the sector in tackling climate change through the creation of an Education for Sustainable Development Strategy.  

Some of the key findings highlighted in the Impact Report 2020-21 were: 

• Despite the challenges of Covid-19, several of these programmes, notably those providing digital, apprenticeship and maths and English support more than doubled their expected reach. 
• A wide range of ETF programmes were very well attended. For instance, 1,038 participants engaged with the ETF Governance Programme, nearly four times the target. Safeguarding and Prevent modules were accessed 165,000 times. 
• Programmes delivered across the year secured very positive feedback from participants. 91% of mentoring participants said they were better equipped to set up or enhance a mentoring programme. While 90% of Further Forces and SET for Teaching Success participants said the programme had a positive impact on their knowledge and skills. 
• The Centres for Excellence in SEND reached 2,446 leaders, teachers and trainers across the industry.
• SET’s Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) achieved its highest ever engagement, with over 100 participants enrolling over the year. 

Interim CEO of the ETF Jenny Jarvis said: 

“Over what was an extremely challenging period, the ETF continued to offer vital training programmes for leaders, teachers and trainers. 

“The organisation was able to evolve and adapt how we delivered our work and programmes, ensuring that our activity remained tailored for the benefit of learners. 

“The independent findings highlight the breadth and popularity of our courses, and the feedback shows how they are making a tangible difference on the ground. 

“Our focus in the coming months is to continue to refine and develop our offer to ensure that we meet the needs of those working in the sector, and support them in the best possible way to deliver excellent learning outcomes for students and learners.” 

To download the 2020/21 Impact Report, please visit the ETF website.

The ETF has developed a number of Impact Stories from its course participants, find out more on the website here.

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