Home > News > November 2004 > 03-Nov-2004

Howells launches reform of initial teacher training for the learning and skills sector

A new award of ‘Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills' is at the centre of a reform package for teacher training in the learning and skills sector. Kim Howells, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education launched the changes yesterday at Showcase 2004, the Department's annual Teaching and Learning Conference.

"All students in Further Education deserve teachers and trainers who are both expert in their subjects and skilled at teaching," said Dr Howells. "What happens in the classroom, in the workshop, in the laboratory and online affects the life chances of six million learners a year.

"We must attract, motivate and retain the very best people into the Further Education and learning and skills sector. Initial training gives teachers the foundation on which they build their careers and equips them for the future.

"With these reforms, teachers will enjoy a new professional status, in the same way as their school colleagues do. Their students will benefit from more effective, stimulating and enjoyable teaching. Learning and skills providers will see better performance, retention and success rates, and be valued by the community."

Dr Howells linked the reforms to the Department's new teaching and learning resources now being distributed. "Qualified professional teachers are now making effective use of our new teaching and learning resources which have been developed by specialist practitioners and thoroughly tested with support from the sector. The teaching approaches they embody are being greeted with enthusiasm by teachers and students alike."

The initial teacher training reforms will be developed over the next two years and introduced in full from September 2007. The key features are:

• Initial teacher training leading to 'Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills'
• The development of Centres of Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs)
• New standards, quality assurance and planning arrangements for initial teacher training

Commenting on the proposals, Monica Deasy, Chair of the Institute for Learning, said: "It is encouraging to see a strategy that will both raise standards within the profession and the esteem in which it is held. It is particularly gratifying that representatives of those who actually provide learning in the sector will exercise a high level of influence in the roll-out of the strategy."

Mark Haysom, Chief Executive at the Learning and Skills Council, said: "The high quality of teaching in the learning and skills sector is at the heart of the LSC's agenda. I therefore fully welcome these reforms, which will drive up investment in a fully qualified and professional workforce across the sector."

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