Plans to provide new principals of further education colleges with a professional qualification have now been extended to existing heads, albeit on a voluntary basis.

A pilot scheme, run by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, starts in January with the full programme being available from September 2007. It aims to support professional development in the role of leadership.

Speaking at the Association of Colleges’ Principals Professional Council conference in London, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Bill Rammell said: “The reforms in our recent FE White Paper will help colleges and providers offer top quality teaching and training.

“Students and employers deserve nothing less. For this to happen, the FE system must have professional, highly motivated and experienced management and leadership.

“The qualification programme for serving principals will be personalised to the individual’s needs, following a robust assessment with accreditation of prior experience and learning. This will support the professionalisation of the FE workforce.

“Existing principals will be encouraged to undertake this qualification on a voluntary basis, but it is our intention that all principals should be qualified, or enrolled on the qualifying programme, by 2012.”

The qualification will also support the transparency of the recruitment and appointment process for principals and senior staff.