Nineteen newly qualified Further Education (FE) technical teachers, specialising in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) graduated at a celebration event held in Nottingham last Friday, 5 July 2019.
The new teachers were the second cohort of graduates from the Education and Training Foundation’s (ETF) SET for Teaching Success programme. Since September 2017, 26 trainees have graduated through programme. There are currently 52 trainees on the programme, aiming to graduate in July 2020, with the next cohort currently being recruited to start on the programme in September 2019.
The SET for Teaching Success programme was developed by the ETF to recruit, train, mentor and support individuals, graduates or industry technical experts to become teachers in the Further Education sector. The aim of the initiative is to boost the number technical teachers in SET subject areas to address the nationally recognised teacher shortages in these areas.
All graduates have completed work placements in industry as part of their initial teacher training programme to allow them to update in terms of current industry practice. The experience and industry insight allowing teachers to provide a clear line of sight to work when teaching their students.
Graduates have completed either a Level 5 Certificate in Education or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Level 6 or 7. Their knowledge, skills and understanding of current work-based practices will help improve FE learner experiences and outcomes in SET subjects.
Majd Khador completed a PGCE at Derby College through SET for Teaching Success. Before transitioning into FE teaching through the programme, Majd worked as a knowledge transfer partnership associate in the engineering industry. He is now a Lecturer of Engineering at Derby College. Majd said:
“As a new teacher, SET for Success has been the compass that guided me in this vast wonderful world of teaching.”
Gemma O’Brien, who is studying on the programme at Sheffield College having previously worked as a dental nurse and receptionist for eight years, said:
“I’ve enjoyed the first year, the CPD sessions are all tied into what we do in college, there has been lots of support on offer which has made the job better.”
All graduate achievements were celebrated, and they were presented with certificates from leaders of the programme, which is delivered on behalf of the ETF by the Skills and Education Group, and Blackburn College.
Alison Morris, Executive Director of Programmes at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), said at the event:
“On behalf of everyone at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), I am delighted to award all of today’s graduates their certificates and congratulate them on their achievement.
“These nationally important programmes are resulting in new, well-equipped expert practitioners ready to provide outstanding teaching and improved outcomes for the FE sector’s Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) and wider technical learners. These new graduates are helping tackle our sector’s recognised teacher shortage in these priority subject areas.”
Paul Eeles, Chief Executive of the Skills and Education Group, said:
“SET for Teaching Success helps develop new teachers for the future, equipping them with much needed skills to teach in science, engineering and technology.
“The programme is an enhanced teacher training programme, providing trainees with a recognised qualification and the opportunity to participate in a high-quality industry placement.”
Dr Fazal Dad, Principal and Chief Executive of Blackburn College, said:
“Blackburn College continues to be proud to be leading a Northern Hub of Colleges and training providers to address the shortage of Science, Engineering and Technology teachers.
“The majority of this second group of graduates from the SET for Teaching Success programme are continuing to teach in the FE Sector with their new qualifications.
“It’s great to see the enthusiasm and energy they have for their subject and I am certain they will all be excellent additions to the FE sector.”
At the event on Friday, Alex Knowles graduated as the first SET For teaching Success trainee to have come through the Further Forces Programme. Alex, who was a Mechanical Technician Supervisor in the Royal Air Force (RAF) before becoming an Engineering Lecturer at Grantham College through the programmes, said:
“I am proud to have graduated with my PGCE, I am really enjoying being part of the team of Engineering teachers at Grantham College. I expect most people in the Forces want to do a job that makes a difference and teaching in FE lets you do that.”
Further Forces is another ETF teacher recruitment programme aimed at addressing the national teacher shortages in SET, STEM and wider technical subject areas. Further Forces supports the resettlement and transition of Armed Forces service leavers into civilian life, including employment in FE technical teaching.
Cerian Ayres, Head of Technical Education at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), and Programme Manager of both the SET for Teaching Success and Further Forces Programmes said:
“The Education and Training Foundation strive to support the professional learning and development of the FE workforce. Through technical education recruitment and training programmes like SET for Teaching Success and Further Forces we are supporting the sector to recruit to ‘hard to fill’ technical teaching roles in priority SET, STEM and technical subject specialist areas, whilst supporting individuals to realise their aspirational targets and personal goals.
“We are delighted that the first Armed Forces service leaver has graduated this summer.”
More information on the SET for Teaching Success programme and the Further Forces programme can be found on the ETF website.