Moving from competence to excellence: the role of training managers in providing pedagogical leadership in UK further education

Abstract

ABSTRACT The quality of provision in the further education sector in the United Kingdom has long been contested. An ongoing issue in further education colleges has been the focus upon minimum competence in qualifications. Yet, there are examples of high standards in teaching and learning. Drawing on interview data with 24 WorldSkills Training Managers working in the vocational education and training system in the UK, the potential contributions of their expertise is examined. Many well-documented pressures exist in further education which counteract an approach to teaching and learning aimed at excellence rather than competence and the Training Managers articulated these. However, a supportive senior management team and continuing professional development was cited as an enabling factors allowing these teaching professionals to draw on their expert practice and flourish. Building on the experience of Training Managers, could be a fruitful avenue for the pursuit of vocational excellence in further education when few other such drivers are currently available in the system.