The Further Education (FE) sector has grappled with persistent skills shortages in the United Kingdom. Particularly, the system has struggled recruiting qualified staff with prior commercial or industrial experience suitable for teaching vocational subjects. As industries increasingly demand specialised skills, the urgency for effective strategies to bridge the gap between education and industry requirements has intensified. In this context, the United Kingdom launched the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme in 2018. TTF is designed to address some of the recruitment and retention challenges facing the FE sector by attracting experienced industry professionals with expert technical knowledge and skills.
Taking teaching further – United Kingdom
Abstract
The TTF initiative was launched in June 2018. It was initially piloted across two rounds which ran between 2018 and 2020. Round 1 of TTF took place in the financial year 2018‑ 19 and Round 2 in the financial year 2019‑20. In 2022, the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) completed Round 5, year 1 of the programme. In March 2023, the programme was delivered by the Department for Education (DfE). So far, each round of TTF has also been divided into two separate strands, each with its specific aims and objectives.
Strand 1 of the TTF programme offers financial support to industry professionals transitioning into FE teaching roles, aiming to stimulate demand, aid recruitment, enhance industry experience within the teaching body, and ensure course relevance to employer needs. Strand 1 of TTF funded up to five trainee teachers per organisation or consortium, covering the total cost of a Level 5 Diploma in Education & Training, capped at GBP 4 000 per trainee. Additional funding supported intensive support for new teachers, including team teaching or work shadowing for eight weeks, and reduced teaching workloads for the remainder of the year. Strand 2 focused on fostering collaboration between FE and industry, offering financial support to projects to increase teaching capacity through industry collaborations. These initiatives involve curriculum development, teacher training, and bridging the education-industry gap, in addition to addressing recruitment barriers, utilising effective professional development models, promoting diversity and inclusion, and integrating emerging technologies and digital platforms into education.
The process evaluation from 2022 on the TTF highlights both its achievements and challenges. Within Strand 1, the initiative was successful in addressing critical skill shortages and attracting industry professionals to the FE sector. However, certain providers faced considerable obstacles in recruiting and retaining personnel, largely due to disparities in remuneration between industries. However, educators appointed through TTF demonstrated significant progress, supporting HE institutions with their industry expertise. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID‑19 pandemic, most TTF recruits demonstrated unwavering dedication to pursuing a career in FE teaching.
Regarding Strand 2, providers confirmed the establishment of enduring partnerships with employers, facilitated by the financial support provided by TTF. While the TTF programme has effectively addressed persisting retention challenges, addressing salary differentials remains paramount for ensuring sustained impact.
This practice also supports the implementation of provision II.7 of the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People (OECD, 2022[1]).
Further reading
[2] IFF Research (2022), Taking Teaching Further: Process Evaluation, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1119058/Taking_Teaching_Further_-_process_evaluation.pdf.
[3] Morris, S. (2022), Understanding the impact of Taking Teaching Further: A feasibility study, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1119060/Taking_Teaching_Further_-_impact_evaluation_feasibility_study.pdf.
[1] OECD (2022), Recommendation of the Council on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People, https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/OECD-LEGAL-0474.
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