Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Department's further education teacher recruitment initiatives remain new and unevaluated for long-term impact.
Conclusion
The Department acknowledged that it was concerned about the position in colleges, where the vacancy rate was significantly higher than in schools, but it described having a “strong” focus on recruitment into further education.38 It explained that it had introduced various initiatives such as recently investing £400 million in the sector;39 extending targeted retention incentives to colleges from October 2024, with an estimated 32 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.34-2.35 33 Qq 31, 43; C&AG’s Report, para 2.35 34 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.13, 2.4, Figure 8 35 C&AG’s Report, Key Facts 36 ITN0011, Written evidence submitted by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation; ITN0014, Written evidence submitted by the Association of Colleges 37 Q 12; C&AG’s Report paras 2.2, 2.7 38 Q 44 39 Q 12 14 6,000 people benefitting to date, and positive feedback from colleges;40 and a two-year programme to attract teachers and support them through their first two years.41 The Department also described expanding the use of “dual professionals” who teach alongside working in industry. They can upskill other teachers and ensure students are taught the latest practices.42 Written evidence from both the Construction Industry Training Board and the Education and Training Foundation support the value dual professionals bring to the further education sector.43 However, written evidence from the Association of Colleges mentions these initiatives are still “fairly new” with none having fully been evaluated yet on their long-term impact.44
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.2 The government recognises there are variations in school and FE recruitment and retention, including greater shortages in key STEM and technical subjects and in disadvantaged areas. 3.4 School and college leaders are responsible for employing teachers. However, it is vital that the department supports the sector to recruit and retain teachers where they are needed most, which is why the department is offering the Targeted Retention Incentive (TRI) worth up to £6,000 per year after tax for early career teachers in key STEM and technical subjects in disadvantaged schools and all FE colleges. The TRI in colleges is available to teachers of a wider range of subjects than in schools, such as building and construction where vacancy rates are particularly high.