Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve recruitment into further education teaching roles in high-demand subject areas.

The department is taking several steps to improve recruitment into further education (FE) teaching roles, particularly in high-demand subject areas. A key measure is the national ‘Train Others in FE’ recruitment campaign, which raises awareness of FE teaching and promotes the value of industry experience in roles across sectors such as engineering, construction, and digital where there is high demand for teachers. The campaign highlights the opportunity for professionals to transfer their expertise into teaching and inspire future learners.

In addition, the department has expanded support through the Return to Teaching Advisory service, helping former schoolteachers transition into FE. This widens the potential recruitment pool and brings experienced educators back into teaching.

To further help improved recruitment, there are plans to extend the Teaching Vacancies service to include FE roles, making it easier for providers to advertise positions and for candidates to access opportunities. Together, these initiatives aim to increase awareness, improve understanding of FE teaching, and attract a more diverse and skilled workforce.