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The Institute for Learning (IfL) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) have produced a film addressing the important contribution that teachers and trainers in further education and skills play in helping realise the UK's ambition of being in the top eight countries in the world for skills, jobs and productivity. This joint venture builds on the Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK report published by UKCES IN May 2009.


Michael Davis, director of strategy and performance at UKCES, officially launched the film with IfL last night at a screening for some members and partner agencies. The film is also available on IfL’s website, so that more than 195,000 teachers and trainers can hear how crucial their work is to the economy, and know that this is recognised at top levels by UKCES.


Toni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, said, "We know that teachers and trainers play an amazingly important part in driving forward our economy. We are delighted that Chris Humphries took part in making this film to speak directly to you, because he knows just how important it is for you to lead the way, supporting industry, employers and individuals; and provide fresh economic impetus to boost and raise skills in your localities."


In his filmed address to teachers and trainers, Chris Humphries, chief executive of UKCES, said, "The UK's colleges, training providers and universities are the most important tool available to help ensure the strength of the UK economy over the next decade. Helping them, supporting them and recognising their role in this is essential if we are going to keep pace with international competition and re-establish ourselves as a top-eight nation. If our colleges, training providers and universities are the engine room of economic development and productivity, there are really important messages in this for our lecturers, teachers and trainers.


"The first of them is to be as talented and as skilled in your chosen area of specialism as you possibly can, and renew and reinvigorate that capability as often as you can, by going back to work in industry, placements in employers, or exchanges with workers from the field, to improve your own knowledge base.


"My second message for lecturers is to learn to be the best teacher you possibly can. It's important that you judge your success as a teacher by the success of your learners, both in completing their courses and in being able to apply their knowledge and skills successfully in their future jobs.


"And the final message from me is this: make this a passionate commitment to the future. Don't just do your job, but get up in the morning knowing that what you are doing is one of the most important jobs this nation has. In return, we as a nation need to acknowledge and celebrate your contribution and success and create a sense of pride in the role of teacher and trainer.


“There is no doubt that without you as teachers and trainers, and without the quality and effectiveness of the institutions in which you work, we will simply not get to be in the top eight nations of the world by 2020. You are a critical part of our success and it’s important the nation recognises and acknowledges that you’re not trailing industry, but trailblazing for industry.”


The video includes clips filmed at Stoke on Trent College, the College of North East London and Richmond Adult Community College, in which IfL members describe how they work with learners, local groups and employers to ensure that their learners acquire the skills they need to get jobs or create businesses, and enjoy a better life.



NOTES TO EDITORS


The video is available to download and view at http://www.ifl.ac.uk/news-and-events/webcasts/ukces 


Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK was published by UKCES in May 2009 and can be downloaded in PDF format at http://www.ukces.org.uk/upload/pdf/UKCES_FullReport_USB_A2020.pdf 



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, Sixth Form Colleges, the voluntary sector and work-based learning.


All FE college teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision are required to register as members of IfL, undertake continuing professional development (CPD) each year and abide by the IfL Code of Professional Practice.


As a key partner in delivering workforce reform, IfL is responsible for managing the registration process, monitoring teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) and for conferring licensed practitioner status – Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS).The standard membership fee of £30 is paid by individuals, or by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) for teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision, as an investment in professionalism.


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



About UKCES


The UK Commission for Employment and Skills was established by the government in April 2008, in response to a key recommendation in Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills. The UK Commission was originally created by the merger of two predecessor organisations, the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employer Panel.


Its ambition is to benefit employers, individuals and the government by advising how improved employment and skills systems can help the UK become a world-class leader in productivity, in employment and in having a fair and inclusive society: all this in the context of a fast-changing global economy.


As employers have prime responsibility for improving productivity, the UK Commission strengthens the employer voice and provides greater employer influence over the UK's employment and skills systems. It provides independent advice to the highest levels in the four UK governments, helping to achieve improvements through strategic policy development, evidence-based analysis and the exchange of good practice




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Lindsay Baugh 07736 246 697 or 01707 392 552

Email lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk 



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Website: www.ifl.ac.uk Email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk