What are Functional Skills? Functional Skills (FS) are qualifications in literacy, numeracy and ICT that equip learners with the practical skills needed to live, learn and work successfully. They are suitable for learners of all ages and are a mandatory part of all Apprenticeship Frameworks in England. They are available across five levels (Entry 1…>
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How to contact a university about visa information
Accurate visa information is crucial for international students applying to study in the UK. Find out how to be fully prepared with our top tips.
Working as an Unqualified Teacher in FE
Teacher Training on the Job to become a FE Teacher Don’t give up if you want to teach in Further Education (FE) but have no formal teaching qualifications. FE is one of the few education sectors where you can gain qualifications after getting your first teaching job. In 2013, the Government lifted the requirement for…>
What is the TEF?
In June 2017, the first Teaching Excellence Framework awards were announced to much fanfare. To say the TEF panel’s conclusions were controversial is an understatement. Headline-grabbing comparisons between Russell Group universities and CBHE providers did little to calm the storm, but now things have settled, what could explain why, out of 106 FE colleges with HE provision,…>
Reasons Why You Should Return to Teaching
Are you thinking about a career change? Would you like to make a real difference and inspire the next generation? You may have completed your teacher training a number of years ago and worked in the corporate world. Perhaps you gained some teaching experience in the past and you are now looking at a number…>
How to Equip Students with Workplace Ready Skills
Workplace-ready skills are also called soft skills. These include interpersonal and social skills, behaviours, and attitudes. According to the National Careers Service: ‘Soft skills are general skills that most employers look for when recruiting and are needed for most jobs. They are sometimes called transferable skills or employability skills by employers.’ Whilst young people already have…>
How to Negotiate a Pay Rise
Staff in the FE sector are facing a growing number of pressures as a result of the increasing cost of living, inflation and continuously rising housing prices. More and more employees find it challenging to provide a sufficient living for their families. Many people working in the Further Education (FE) sector are not aware that…>
How to get to know your colleagues better
A positive and thriving FE work culture does not happen overnight. Investing time in getting to know your colleagues is guaranteed to reap benefits including enhanced productivity. It is widely recognized that relationships with colleagues are hugely important as they contribute to a more positive and dynamic FE climate. Here are some tips which will…>
What makes people in FE happy at work?
Employee happiness has become an interesting topic in recent times. The reason for this is due to the expanding research evidence indicating that when employees are happy, organisations thrive. Most of us seek happiness in all areas of our lives. Since we spend approximately one-third of our lives working, happiness in the workplace is greatly…>
How do effective leaders build trust with employees?
Further Education (FE) leaders face a growing amount of pressure as a result of funding restrictions, structural changes, technological developments and constant reforms. Many FE Colleges provide structured learning and development opportunities such as coaching, mentoring, and training courses. However, many leaders are not able to take the time out of their busy schedules to participate in…>