The department is looking to engage a provider/s to be a national delivery partner to deliver the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) expansion, to support FE providers in recruiting industry professionals to teach in the Further Education sector.

TTF is currently managed by one supplier (under a grant agreement).

The service requirements include, but are not limited to administration of funding, general administration, evaluation, market development, marketing and end to end programme management.

Given the wider economic importance of FE in raising skills levels and providing a passport to opportunity for young people and adults - particularly through the successful delivery of T Levels and apprenticeships - we need sufficient numbers of highly skilled teachers in place to deliver high quality, work relevant skills training.

But there is also a very real need for those teachers to possess industry expertise and excellent teaching skills.

This is paramount for delivering first-rate technical teaching.

The aim of TTF is to increase the number of highly skilled teachers in place to deliver high quality, work relevant skills training by supporting FE providers to recruit and retain experienced industry professionals.

TTF seeks to do this by funding FE providers to recruit industry professionals to retrain as teachers.

DFE is looking to appoint a delivery partner to support with the grant management process, including managing applications, evaluating and awarding submissions, gathering feedback, arranging payments, monitoring and supporting the programme and subsequent evaluation of learning.

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) have delivered this programme through three pilot rounds, from 2018/19 to 2020/21.

For further information, please see the ETF website. https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/supporting/support-teacher-recruitment/taking-teaching-further/ Given the current shortage of FE teachers, we are developing proposals to expand the initiative.

Rounds 1 and 2 offered places for 150 teachers, and round 3 will make 550 places available.

The extent and profile of this initiative beyond 2020-21, is yet to be confirmed, but based on current information, we anticipate growth of 1000 places in the first year and up to 4000 in the third year of the contract.

We would like to engage with organisations that have delivered similar funding programmes.

DFE invites suggestions and feedback on the proposed content and structure of the programme from the market, including industry experts, specialists and suppliers.

To discuss further, please email: FE.profession@education.gov.uk with any suggestions and/or feedback in your email.

DFE are hosting a Market Engagement event taking place on online, on the 8th April 2020.

If you wish to participate in the event please email: FE.profession@education.gov.uk.

This PIN does not constitute a commitment by the department to begin any procurement activity or award a contract.