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UK workers flock to education sector as economic climate forces career reassessment

Enquiries about teacher training received by Lifelong Learning UK’s Information and Advice Service rocketed 41% in the last month alone. Compared to the end of last year (Dec 07), there has been a 300% increase

Worries about the current economic climate have led to a radical change in people’s attitude towards career development, according to new research from Lifelong Learning UK’s “Make a Difference” campaign.

The ‘recession proof’ sector?

The poll, of over 2,000 managers across the UK, showed that over half would value a job which would allow them to make a difference and feel as if they’re giving back to society. One in four surveyed would consider a new career in management in the education sector. Nearly 70% of managers admit their current job is not their dream career and almost 80% admit to being indifferent or outright depressed at the thought of continuing in their current career until retirement.

The poll, of over 2,000 managers across the UK, showed that over half would value a job which would allow them to make a difference and feel as if they’re giving back to society. One in four surveyed would consider a new career in management in the education sector. Nearly 70% of managers admit their current job is not their dream career and almost 80% admit to being indifferent or outright depressed at the thought of continuing in their current career until retirement.

With credit crunch doom and gloom dominating the news, and unemployment set to rise, many people are actively searching for a more secure career option. As a result, a management opportunity in education has become one of the top “dream jobs” for those working in mid to senior management in the UK.

Catalyst: for change

Lifelong Learning UK’s Make a Difference campaign is part of the Catalyst programme, and aims to encourage management candidates from all sectors to consider further developing their careers by taking up management roles in the further education (FE) sector. The scheme will fund a 12 month leadership development programme worth £10,000 per person to eligible candidates. This includes tutoring, coaching, action learning and access to all relevant resources and is designed to fast-track participants into senior leadership positions. Successful recruits will fill current vacancies in FE organisations.

The research has identified that money is no longer the primary motivator for many managers, although successful candidates in the Make a Difference programme can expect a starting salary of circa £32,000 (see notes for Editors) from their employer which compares favourably with the national average for full time employees of £30,0001.

Alan Clarke of Lifelong Learning UK comments:

“Seismic events in the financial and economic environment have led many people to re-evaluate their careers. With the threat of redundancy ever present, many UK managers are actively looking to explore alternative career paths. A career in further education offers similar challenges to the private sector and enjoys competitive financial remuneration too. The further education sector has recognised the transferability of knowledge and skills developed by managers in business and other sectors and has opened the door to applicants to demonstrate how they can make a real difference in the sector. The Make a Difference programme will help talented recruits transition from their current roles into a management career in FE, helping to meet the needs of the sector now and in the future.”

Interested individuals and training and skills organisations can express an interest or register vacancies by visiting the website, www.changeyourfuture.org and simply completing the online form. If you would like more information about any aspect of the programme you can submit a question via the website or speak to a Make a Difference advisor by calling 0845 602 7012.

To set up an interview with a Make a Difference spokesperson, or to receive more information, please contact Rhian Lewis or Julie Fourcade on 020 7009 3100 or rhian@3-monkeys.co.uk / julie@3-monkeys.co.uk at 3 Monkeys Communications. 

 
1 Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics (2007)

Notes to Editors

• Further education organisations are independent bodies. The figure of £32,000 is taken from University and College Union salary scales.

• OnePoll www.OnePoll.com conducted an omnibus survey for Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) between 06/10/2008 and 20/10/2008 amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,224 employees at manager level.
About LLUK

• LLUK is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. LLUK is one of 25 Sector Skills Councils that make up the Skills for Business Network - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation. See: www.lluk.org

• LLUK aims to encourage teachers, trainers, librarians and other staff to gain new skills and qualifications so that they offer a better service to young people, adult learners, employers and the wider community

• LLUK also promotes lifelong learning as a career so that employers in the sector have less difficulty recruiting and retaining staff

• In addition to developing sector-wide occupational standards and qualifications frameworks, LLUK also produces labour market intelligence so that lifelong learning employers can identify skills gaps and shortages among their own workforce

• Make a Difference is funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. For more information visit www.catalystprogramme.org.

About Catalyst

• The Catalyst programme is creating new opportunities for further education (FE) providers to shape the workforce of the future. Working with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), the Catalyst programme will introduce recruitment schemes for graduates, managers and vocational and technical experts, and provide new opportunities for teachers, tutors and trainers to update their vocational skills.