The Society for Education and Training is the professional body for trainers and teachers. Founded in 2015 following the demise of the Institute for Learning, the Society now has more than 22,000 members. David Russell, the foundation’s chief executive, has been instrumental in expanding the organisation’s roster of training courses. Programmes range from a subsidised route for T-level delivery staff to routes for sector chief executives and governance professionals. The Foundation also delivers a programme for principals called Strategic Leadership, which has already been taken by 180 school leaders.
David Russell has left his role as chief executive of the Education and Training Foundation
The ETF has a long history and reputation for excellence. Its programmes and membership has grown from just over 9,000 members in 2015 to more than 22,000 in 2018. The society was formed to increase professional standards and develop leaders in education and training. Russell had been chief executive for eight years. His time at the ETF helped it become a leading professional body for the sector. As CEO, he helped the organisation grow from an emerging body to a major player in workforce development and professional standards.
In recent years, David Russell has been working with students. Before joining the Education and Training Foundation, he was an English teacher at Beaver Country Day School. He went on to graduate from Amherst College and Tufts University, and spent much of his time in dance and theater. He loves learning and this passion for education shines through in everything he does. His new role is a good fit for the ETF and he is a natural fit for this role.
The ETF is a workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector
The ETF was established to develop and support the workforce of the Further Education and Training sector. Its work includes supporting practitioners to become better than they are today and identifying excellence and fostering collaboration. Its activities are primarily focused on the FE and training sector but it also engages experts from outside the sector to provide challenges for practitioners and organisations. In 2012, it completed its first phase of digital transformation, which involved the migration from legacy CRM to an integrated SET membership website.
Its core purpose is to support the professionalisation of the Further Education workforce by commissioning and delivering professional learning. It supports the sector by meeting its demands and influencing government policy. In addition to facilitating the development of practitioners and institutions, the Education and Training Foundation provides benefits and qualifications to members. It is the largest professional membership body for practitioners in the post-16 sector.
It has won an apprenticeship workforce development contract from the Department for Education
The contract was won by the Education and Training Foundation, which partnered with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, Colleges, Strategic Development Network, and the University Vocational Awards Council to develop an effective bid. The first phase of the contract will focus on training needs analysis for the apprenticeship delivery workforce, while professional development materials will be delivered in the second phase. The foundation will also work with the Los Angeles County Labor Federation to develop pipelines for construction careers.
The Foundation was awarded the contract because it was the only training provider with a track record of successfully developing apprenticeship programmes. The education and training provider will work with schools, colleges and universities to develop apprenticeship programmes to improve employment opportunities for young people. The foundation has also established an apprenticeship programme in the field of behavioral health, which targets young people who have experienced trauma, mental health problems, and drug and alcohol issues.
