WIREDGOV

Following the publication yesterday of Sir Andrew Foster's report, the Institute for Learning (IfL) hopes that the government will find urgent solutions to the college buildings crisis.

Toni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, said, "Further education college teachers and trainers have a vital role to play in tackling the economic downturn and minimising its impact on individuals, employers and local communities. It is essential that they should be given the kind of accommodation needed, in order to achieve this important economic mission.

"In many of the colleges affected by the spending freeze, teachers can be working in less than satisfactory conditions, sometimes in temporary or portable accommodation. The way in which our teachers continue to ensure that their learners get the best possible education and training, in spite of adversity, is a tribute to their professionalism."



NOTES TO EDITORS



About IfL



The Institute for Learning (IfL) was formed in 2002 and is the professional body for teachers, tutors, trainers and student teachers in the further education and skills sector, including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning.


Much of IfL’s work is guided by two sets of regulations that came into force on 1 September 2007:


· Revised teaching qualifications, including the introduction of licensed practitioner status and differentiation between full and associate teachers


· Remaining in good standing as a teaching professional, including mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for all teachers.


Under the regulations, all FE college teachers are required to register as members of IfL, undertake CPD each year and abide by the IfL Code of Professional Practice. The regulations are supported by contractual requirements for LSC-funded provision, to ensure that the scope of the regulations covers all teachers in the sector.


The government has agreed to meet the full cost of standard registration with IfL for teachers in LSC-funded institutions who register online. IfL also welcomes teachers and trainers who do not work on LSC-funded programmes; they are required to pay their own annual subscription, for which they receive a comprehensive range of professional benefits.


Teachers new to the sector from September 2007 are also required to become licensed practitioners. Although not mandatory for them, existing teachers are also encouraged to become licensed practitioners, as this will become the benchmark for the sector.


As a key partner in delivering workforce reform, IfL is responsible for managing the registration process and for conferring licensed practitioner status.


An independent professional body, IfL is governed by an elected council and works closely with several sector organisations, unions and employer bodies.


CONTACT



Press office:


Lindsay Baugh 07736 246 697 or 01707 392 552

Email lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk 



Membership and other enquiries:


The Institute for Learning

Bracton House

34-36 High Holborn

London

WC1V 6AE


Telephone: 0844 815 3202

Website: www.ifl.ac.uk 

Email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk