Priorities for action
Four over-arching priority areas for the Workforce Strategy for the further education (FE) sector in England, 2007-2012 have been identified and developed from an analysis of policy documents and primary and secondary sector research supported by data analysis, and refined through consultation with colleges and learning providers and sector representatives.
These four priorities identify the challenges faced by the sector and the key aims and outcomes that will make a difference. All four priorities seek to embed equal access and respect for diversity within the FE sector workforce by promoting equality and diversity and including a commitment to eliminating discrimination at their core.
The key priority areas, which will actively help tackle challenges faced by the sector head on, are:
Priority 1: understanding the nature of the workforce
Priority 2: attracting and recruiting the best people
Priority 3: retaining and developing the modern, professionalised workforce
Priority 4: ensuring equality and diversity is at the heart of strategy, policy-making, planning and training.
Underpinning these four priorities are eight key themes. These themes focus the priority areas on particular workforce development activities and contribute towards achievement of the vision.
The strategy sets an expectation for all parts of the FE system, including national partners, stakeholders, providers and leaders, to support these identified priorities and subsequently to take forward the actions in the Implementation Plan.
The associated Implementation Plan will develop the actions needed to achieve the priorities and specific themes and also demonstrate how these actions and outcomes will benefit learners, employees and their employers as a result of such workforce developments.
