Funding to support Skills for Life teacher training

An update from the NRDC on funding available to support routes to fully qualified status for prospective/new and existing Skills for Life teachers

Skills for Life Teacher Education – Creative routes to qualified status

‘In November 2006, two national programmes were launched:

• QIA Skills for Life Improvement Programme, led by CfBT Education Trust
• LLUK Flexible entry routes into the teaching of Skills for Life, led by NRDC

Both programmes include funds to facilitate creative routes through to fully qualified status for both prospective/new and existing adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL teachers. Funds are available as Programme Development Grants to providers and a Qualification Support Fund to support individuals’ costs on specialist Literacy, Numeracy or ESOL teacher programmes.

Information on the deadlines for applications for the Qualification Support Fund can be found on the NRDC website.

There is now a second opportunity to apply by 15 January 2007 for the Programme Development Grants in these regions:
– Yorkshire and Humberside
– West Midlands
– East Midlands
– Eastern
– South East.

A significant number of applications was received by the initial deadline of 27 November and many grants have already been awarded. However, the regions above are still under-represented.

All bids should be for additional funding, to supplement core course funding, to develop features to strengthen and enhance the quality of and access to teacher education programmes. We particularly welcome applications to develop integrated programmes and Numeracy specialist programmes.

A: ‘Stand-alone’ Level 4 subject specialist qualifications for teachers of adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL
B: Integrated subject specific initial teacher education programmes for adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL
C: Diploma ‘top-ups’ for ESOL teachers

All bids should be for additional funding, to supplement core course funding and to develop features to strengthen and enhance the quality of and access to teacher education programmes.’

For full details and application forms, please visit the NRDC website.