AoC responds to National Audit Office report on teacher workforce

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges said, "We know that the Department for Education recognises the importance of the school and further education workforce in its ambition for greater growth. However, as outlined in the NAO report, the challenges of recruitment and retention are stark, especially in further education colleges where salaries continue to be around £10,000 lower than in secondary schools and there is a requirement for both industry experience and the ability to motivate and engage a wide range of students.

"We have major challenges in college teacher recruitment and retention, which the pay gap only exacerbates. This is compounded by DfE estimates that colleges will need 8,400 to 12,400 more teachers by 2028/29, compared with 2020/21 levels."Addressing the disparity in pay requires collaboration not only from between government and the sector but, crucially, with employers too.

"Without such investment, a significant number of young people will be shut out of further education and the government will struggle to deliver on its core missions on new homes, net zero, a reformed NHS, productivity and economic growth."