I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have received from across the sector on my visits to colleges, training providers and meetings with our partner sector organisations in my first three months at ETF. I am humbled by the determination of the learners I’ve met, and also inspired by the dedication and professionalism of the teachers, trainers and support staff who are making such an enormous impact on lives, communities, and society.
Delivering life-changing opportunities to learners, day in day out, brings its own set of challenges. Our sector is dealing with complex challenges in a climate of rapid policy change and financial pressures in terms of funding and the cost-of-living crisis. Faced with competing demands, it can be difficult to dedicate time to looking after ourselves and prioritising our own professional development needs.
My commitment to you is to ensure that ETF and SET’s work can continue to best support the needs of all in the sector, so that together we can continue to support the needs of our learners. I am delighted to share with you the results of our UK-wide research study that has highlighted the transformational impact of FE and Training.
The research, involving 2,000 adults across the UK, revealed that almost 9 in 10 (88%) UK adults found FE and training to be a positive step in developing the career of a friend, family member or colleague. Moreover, over 4 in 5 adults (82%) agreed that it can be useful in advancing or finding a career or job. With the cost-of-living crisis being felt by many, FE and training provides a route to gain new skills, unlock opportunities and advance careers.
