Catalyst Programme

Catalyst - Taking Further Education Forward

The Catalyst programme is creating new opportunities for training and skills providers to help shape the lifelong learning workforce of the future.

Working with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), Catalyst will introduce recruitment schemes to attract graduate-calibre individuals, managers and vocational and technical experts into the further education (FE) sector. It will also provide new opportunities for current teachers, tutors and trainers to update their skills in industry. 

Together these changes can help create an effective FE sector workforce with the power to drive change in every other sector, by raising the skills of all workers throughout their lives.  

Catalyst will be delivered through four key areas of activity outlined in the 2006 FE White Paper, 'Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances':

  • Make a Difference will encourage high-flying graduate-calibre individuals to pursue a management career in the FE sector
  • Business Talent will help training and skills providers attract talented managers from other sectors and utilise their skills within FE
  • Business Interchange will give FE staff the chance to work more closely with local businesses and update their practical and vocational skills
  • Pass on Your Skills will provide opportunities for skilled specialists to move into teaching roles within FE

LLUK will work in partnership with employers, learning providers, representative bodies and other FE system organisations to deliver these programmes within FE colleges, work based, and adult and community learning settings.

For more information about Catalyst and how the programmes could affect you, please visit the Catalyst website or contact the programme team.