AoC's vision for the Technical and Vocational Professional Development (TVPD) programme

The post-16 pathways which will introduce V Levels, new Level 2 certificates and changes in T Levels represents a significant shift for colleges, schools and training organisations.  Delivering this change successfully will require not just awareness about the changes, but commitment, capability and strong collaboration across the sector.

That’s why the Department for Education (DfE) is investing in support for teachers, lecturers and trainers to be able to ensure providers are equipped and prepared to deliver the new qualification landscape.

We successfully bid to deliver the Technical and Vocational Professional Development (TVPD) programme because we are committed to supporting providers to make these reforms work for their learners. To do this, we bring a strong track record and our vast experience of supporting the sector through major changes, including the rollout of T Levels and foundation year provision which provides a strong foundation to build on. 

What makes this programme different is its provider-led and practical focus. Over the next three years we will support practitioners and senior leaders to:

• confidently deliver new and revised T Levels
• scale up their existing T Level provision
• prepare for and support the implementation of the new V Levels and Level 2 pathways. 

Our delivery model is rooted in who we are and how we operate. As the college sector’s representative body, we work hard to build capacity amongst our members and with other learning organisations.  Our approach is always focused on empowering colleges to provide the best possible provision for their learners, and through this contract, we are supporting schools and other providers of post-16 pathways to do this as well.

We believe that sets our approach apart from other programmes. We will be both provider-centric and focused on collaboration with providers and our partner organisations. Central to our approach is to co-design the programmes with expert lecturers, teachers and other partners.

There will be subject-specific professional development, focused on building teaching capability, confidence and subject expertise across all pathways. We will establish networks which support peer learning and sharing of best practice across the sector, alongside leadership support that ensures providers are ready and are building long-term capability. We will also ensure strong industry engagement so we can make sure teaching reflects current employer practice and workforce needs. That industry engagement is particularly important. We will work with the Skills Federation, who represent sector skills bodies, to ensure practitioners have access to relevant industry and that teaching is aligned with the demands that will be placed on a future workforce. 

We will also use a new advisory board to ensure that this is a truly cross-sector and collaborative programme. All types of providers are represented on the advisory board, along with sector organisations, to make sure that the programme works for the sector as a whole. Collaboration is at the core – this is not something that is being done to the sector, it is led by the sector and sector-driven. 

The programme launches in autumn, but now is the time to get involved. We need your help because we are currently recruiting nine technical and vocational excellence hubs, with one hub in each region. These hub institutions will be central to the programme, in particular shaping the subject-specific professional development, leading delivery within their region, and acting as centres of excellence and collaboration.

Maybe your institution could become one of them? This is a unique opportunity for providers to take a leading role in shaping and delivering support across the sector. The relevant documents are available here. 

At AoC we are excited to deliver a programme with providers, for providers and will work hard to make it work for you. Investing in staff and developing their capability is essential to maintaining high-quality provision – and TVPD will play a key role in helping the sector meet the challenges ahead with confidence. Everyone has their part to play.

By David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, and Beth Bishop, Director - Projects, Sport and AoC Charitable Trust, Association of Colleges