Better outcomes start outside the classroom.
Further Education (FE) and skills professionals show up every day to change lives. They problem-solve, multi-task and can carry the weight of rising expectations with resilience and creativity. But this often leaves little time to pause, reflect, connect and grow. The FE and skills sector is driven by the power of learning. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that continuous professional development (CPD) often slips to the edges of the working week. And when that happens, everyone misses out.
Without a strategic, embedded approach to professional development, it becomes even harder for teachers, support teams and leaders to deliver the best for learners. Small problems can fester and grow. Inefficiencies linger and valuable opportunities for shared learning falls through the cracks. Worst of all, learners miss out and their learning outcomes suffer.
The missing ingredient: a structure that makes learning stick.
Most colleges and training providers are deeply committed to developing their people. What’s often missing is a structure and framework that makes professional development part of the routine. If the goal is better learner outcomes, stronger staff retention and organisational performance that can withstand pressure, the answer is clear: adopt a strategic, long-term approach to professional development.
Put simply: professional development should not be a box to tick. It should be built into the fabric of every college and training provider. That’s why the Education Training Foundation (ETF) developed ETF Partnership: a structured approach to organisational development that raises standards, retains great people, and delivers better outcomes for every learner.
Building a culture of learning at York College
York College & University Centre supports around 4,000 students each day across academic and vocational routes. “Our students come to us with very high aspirations,” explains Victoria Lindberg, Director of Quality of Education. “Our job as teachers is to support those aspirations and help them make brilliant next steps.”
York College’s strategy was not a quick fix. Instead, the focus was on building a culture where professional development is consistent, supported, and taken seriously. That is why the college committed to ETF Partnership, which helps leaders and educators make professional development part of everyday practice.
“We have a moral purpose to invest in our teachers,” says Luke Zwalf, Head of Teaching and Learning. “If we’re able to support our teachers correctly, ultimately the knock-on impact is for our students.”
For Victoria, the value was immediate and practical. “Partnering with ETF has opened up a whole world for us, connecting our teachers with others across the sector.” Victoria links that investment directly to learner achievement: “We’re absolutely delighted that our ETF Partnership has led to improved outcomes for our students and apprentices. Teaching is now better, more students achieve their ambitions and more get higher grades.”
Partnering with ETF has opened up a whole world for us, connecting our teachers with others across the sector,” Victoria Lindberg, Director of Quality of Education, York College.
Read the full story: How investing in teacher development boosted achievement at York College.
Where culture change begins: ETF Partnership
As the professional body for FE and skills, ETF stands up for workforce development. We set the standards, provide the development and recognition, and build a thriving community and skills system.
ETF Partnership draws on all ETF has to offer to help colleges and training providers build professional development into their culture. In practical terms, ETF Partnership provides a model for professional excellence, including:
- national standards that build confidence: using national teaching and training standards helps your team gain confidence and credibility.
- CPD that sticks: embedding high-quality CPD and tools into day-to-day practice alongside peer-mentoring turns progress into a habit.
- recognition that grows careers: Providing routes into professional status recognition including Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS Status) and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) support educators to grow their impact within your organisation, at every stage of their careers.
- community that connects: connecting your teams to the wider FE and skills sector through our inspiring membership community, where ideas thrive and best practice is shared.
Quick health check: is CPD built into your culture?
If professional development is not truly embedded, it usually shows up in a few familiar ways. Which of these symptoms do you recognise?
- CPD depends on a handful of champions, not a shared approach
- Great practice stays in silos instead of spreading
- Training days deliver a “sugar rush” of energy, but little changes afterwards
- Recognition is patchy, so progress feels invisible
- Confidence dips, and retention becomes harder
- Improvement feels like just “another initiative”
If any of this feels familiar, reach out to the friendly ETF team to learn more about ETF Partnership.
FE and skills professionals are already changing lives every day. ETF Partnership exists to support their development and help colleges and training providers build a culture of learning and success. Together, we can unlock the full potential of a professional FE and skills system. Learn more about the Education Training Foundation at etfoundation.co.uk.
Your thoughts