The Institute for Learning (IfL) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) have produced a film addressing the important contribution that teachers and trainers in further education and skills play in helping realise the UK's ambition of being in the top eight countries in the world for skills, jobs and productivity. This joint venture builds on the Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK report published by UKCES IN May 2009.
Michael Davis, director of strategy and performance at UKCES, officially launched the film with IfL last night at a screening for some members and partner agencies. The film is also available on IfL’s website, so that more than 195,000 teachers and trainers can hear how crucial their work is to the economy, and know that this is recognised at top levels by UKCES.
Toni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, said, "We know that teachers and trainers play an amazingly important part in driving forward our economy. We are delighted that Chris Humphries took part in making this film to speak directly to you, because he knows just how important it is for you to lead the way, supporting industry, employers and individuals; and provide fresh economic impetus to boost and raise skills in your localities."
In his filmed address to teachers and trainers, Chris Humphries, chief executive of UKCES, said, "The UK's colleges, training providers and universities are the most important tool available to help ensure the strength of the UK economy over the next decade. Helping them, supporting them and recognising their role in this is essential if we are going to keep pace with international competition and re-establish ourselves as a top-eight nation. If our colleges, training providers and universities are the engine room of economic development and productivity, there are really important messages in this for our lecturers, teachers and trainers.
"The first of them is to be as talented and as skilled in your chosen area of specialism as you possibly can, and renew and reinvigorate that capability as often as you can, by going back to work in industry, placements in employers, or exchanges with workers from the field, to improve your own knowledge base.
"My second message for lecturers is to learn to be the best teacher you possibly can. It's important that you judge your success as a teacher by the success of your learners, both in completing their courses and in being able to apply their knowledge and skills successfully in their future jobs.
"And the final message from me is this: make this a passionate commitment to the future. Don't just do your job, but get up in the morning knowing that what you are doing is one of the most important jobs this nation has. In return, we as a nation need to acknowledge and celebrate your contribution and success and create a sense of pride in the role of teacher and trainer.
“There is no doubt that without you as teachers and trainers, and without the quality and effectiveness of the institutions in which you work, we will simply not get to be in the top eight nations of the world by 2020. You are a critical part of our success and it’s important the nation recognises and acknowledges that you’re not trailing industry, but trailblazing for industry.”
The video includes clips filmed at Stoke on Trent College, the College of North East London and Richmond Adult Community College, in which IfL members describe how they work with learners, local groups and employers to ensure that their learners acquire the skills they need to get jobs or create businesses, and enjoy a better life.
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