§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to improve teacher training for further education college staff; and if he will make a statement. [138957]
§ Alan JohnsonIn "Success for All" the Government set out its aim to enable six million learners to reach their potential. This depends on quality of teaching, which in turn depends on quality of teacher training. On 11 November we launched a consultation "The Future of Initial Teacher Education for the Learning and Skills Sector—An Agenda for Reform": http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations2/30.
We want all our partners in the learning and skills sector including the Inspectorates, funding bodies, employers and unions to join us in developing this agenda for change. This will support our ambition for more successful and satisfying careers for current and future generations of teachers, to the lasting benefit of learners.