January 2008: City & Guilds QTLS campaign launches in centres nationwide

This edition of news contains the following information for teacher training centres in England only: 

• New Year, New Launch
• Accreditation dates reminder
• Terms explained – mentoring requirements

This edition follows the previous one sent in December 2007.

New Year, New Launch

We are launching a new campaign to support your implementation of the new teacher training qualifications for the QTLS framework.

The campaign will see the launch of a:

• CD-ROM of new qualification materials containing all the required qualification handbooks, LLUK reference documentation and FE/CPD regulations, a best-practice check-list, and helpful websites links
• Glossy brochure for you and your learners to guide you through the reforms to teacher training and the available City & Guilds qualifications
• New QTLS microsite: re-mastered with easier navigation and a cutting-edge interactive route map to help determine learners entry-points and pathways to the relevant qualifications and professional status
• Updated FAQs
• Centre briefing events: further centre briefing days, we will also have a presence at education exhibitions and conferences, so you will be able to come and talk to us – full details are still tbc.

Date for your diary!

The campaign launches this week with CDs and brochures will be winging their way to all 7303, 7304 and 7305 centres on or after the 21 January 2008. Further copies of the CD can be purchased from publication sales (tel: 020 7294 2850), quoting reference number CD-00-7305.
 

Accreditation dates reminder

We are now able to offer you the full qualification portfolio which meets the qualification needs of the QTLS framework requirements and Further Education (FE) Regulations. All these qualifications are now open for registrations.

The qualifications are accredited as follows:

* A level-less registration complex -11 is available for both the Award and Certificate qualifications. Full details are contained on the Online Catalogue on our Walled Garden 
  

Terms explained – mentoring requirements

Centres are encouraged, but not required, to appoint a mentor to candidates undertaking the qualifications towards ATLS and QTLS status unless they are candidates who are in-service within an FE college and are undertaking the PTLLS unit or Award.

The FE regulations require that an in-service candidate who does not hold an Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification, or equivalent, must be provided with ‘professional support’ whilst they attain the award. Such candidates have one year within which to achieve the unit/qualification.

‘Professional support’ includes mentoring and direction in the processes and practices of teaching, including lesson planning and course development by a “qualified person”.

A “qualified person” means a person who satisfies the qualification requirements in the 2001 or 2007 FE Regulations, or who may be exempt under either set of Regulations.

It is also recommended that each candidate has a subject specific mentor, to give support on subject specific pedagogy. Further guidance on subject specific mentoring is available from LLUK the Sector Skills Council (SSC).

Full guidance on mentoring requirements and subject specific support is also provided in the qualification handbooks for the full suite of qualifications.