Research finds workers in further education prioritise self-development

New research from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and the Society for Education and Training (SET) has explored career trends within the further education and training sector.

The online research is the first of its kind to explore barriers to career progression and career aspirations in the sector.

Priority

Out of the 800 respondents, a quarter said that developing expertise in their current job role was their main priority.

However, 50 per cent said that the main barriers to continuing professional development or higher level study were their workload and a lack of time.

Respondents also offered advice for overcoming these barriers, with the top suggestions including undertaking CPD training and gaining further experience on the job.

Willingness

ETF Head of Data and Evaluation Charlynne Pullen said: “There has been much anecdotal evidence of career progression trends in further education and training, but this is the first time we have a comprehensive research report to share with the sector.

“The research shows there is a willingness and a demand for more training and career progression; the challenge is how to turn that into a reality across the whole sector. Given the need to transform technical education in this country and the increasing role workforce development will play, this research will support better decision-making and analysis on how we move forward.”