Minister for Lifelong Learning Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell has put out to consultation key measures designed to ensure that all Further Education (FE) staff are fully qualified and trained.

According to Rammell, the vision for the learning and skills sector is to attract effective leaders and teachers and empower the sector to meet its own priorities and targets for improvement.

The Government is seeking views on the implementation of:

• New 'Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills' (QLTS) status, which comes into effect from 2007. How would QLTS improve recruitment and how would a probationary period work?


• Qualifications for newly appointed Principals of FE colleges. How could this be promoted to attract people into the sector and staff into Principal's posts, and how could greater equality and diversity in leadership be encouraged to strengthen the sector?


• Mandatory continuing professional development requirements (CPD). How could methods for ensuring compliance guarantee effective implementation of a CPD requirement and what are the best arrangements for part-time staff?

Rammell said: “We want all learners to receive a consistent quality of teaching wherever they study. A fully professional workforce is vital for making the learning and skills sector world class and responsive to learners and employers.”