TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF FE

An ETF survey highlights making a difference as a key reason many people enter the further education sector, writes outgoing interim CEO Jenny Jarvis

We speak to some of those who are helping to transform the lives of learners

What motivates you in your work every day? In a recent Education and Training Foundation (ETF) landmark survey of more than 4,200 teachers, trainers and leaders, 82 per cent told us that the most rewarding aspect of their job is inspiring students, changing lives and making a difference. The survey also revealed the frustrations of working in the sector, with key challenges being lack of funding (31 per cent), recruitment challenges (19 per cent) and the changing landscape of further education (FE) (18 per cent).

Yet what strikes me every time I speak to staff working across the sector is their absolute drive and commitment to do the very best for their students. There are so many stories I have to draw on. At the SET Conference in January, I heard practitioners across the sector describe the incredible learning journeys that their students have been on.

Last year I met the winner of the 2022 Tutor of the Year award, Helen Sonnenfeld, and heard about her work supporting individuals with learning disabilities and mental health illnesses. It was absolutely no surprise to me that one of her students said she had “changed her opinion about learning and education”.

On visits to Barnsley College and Walsall College, I witnessed how they are transforming the lives of students through high-quality teaching and learning experiences – and heard about how supporting staff through CPD and wider support is a vital part of that success. These stories made such an impact on me that I sent a film crew to capture them – you can see the results in a new film on our website.

Stories like these are happening every day across the sector. It was heartening to see so many FE and training professionals recognised in the New Year Honours list, a tribute to their dedicated work to enable learners in the FE and training sector to thrive.

What drives our work at the ETF and the Society for Education and Training is putting teachers, trainers and leaders at the heart of all we do. By supporting you on your professional journey, we want to help you provide the best learning experience to your students and learners.

Over the coming months, we will be stepping up our activity to showcase the inspirational work happening across the sector through our new campaign ‘Together we Transform’. We know that, every day, the sector is enabling stories of transformation for students and learners. Through your dedication and commitment, students are being opened to new experiences, gaining new skills and grasping new opportunities.

I hope you enjoy reading the examples of the difference that practitioners are making to learners’ lives here. Please follow our campaign on our social media channels to read many more. And do share your stories of transformation – we’d love to hear them.

Thank you for all you do for your students and learners – it’s your dedication and commitment that makes this sector such a vibrant one – one that is transforming the lives of individuals and contributing to the skills and productivity of our communities and the country.