Education and Training Foundation

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), established in September 2013, is a sector-owned, government-backed charity serving as the workforce development body for England's and Wales' Further Education (FE) and Skills sector. Founded by key organisations like the Association of Colleges and Association of Employment and Learning Providers, ETF's mission is to advance public education for those aged over 14 through world-class teaching, training, assessment, and leadership in technical and vocational fields. Its values—professionalism, inclusivity, collaboration, and public good—drive evidence-led continuing professional development (CPD), professional recognition via the Society for Education and Training (SET), and standards improvement, with a distinctive sector-owned governance, deep government ties, and focus on systemic transformation for learner outcomes, social mobility, and economic growth.

ETF funds workforce capacity building, including T Level professional development, curriculum and pedagogical innovation, English/maths/ESOL, safeguarding, inclusion, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning, targeting teachers, trainers, leaders, and governance in FE colleges, independent providers, and adult learning organisations. Beneficiaries encompass students over 14, especially disadvantaged groups, those with disabilities, and at-risk youth/adults, via grants, commissioned programmes, training, resources, and advocacy for institutional improvement and employment progression.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions in England and Wales, prioritising medium-to-large colleges and sector bodies; small grassroots groups are unsupported. Unsolicited organisational applications are not accepted—funding occurs via direct invitations or commissions aligned to strategic priorities. Individual CPD like Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) is open to SET members during windows (e.g., 12 August–31 October 2024, with £50 application/£520 programme fees); organisational grant amounts/scales are undisclosed and programme-specific. ETF excludes temporary operations, core/unrestricted costs, and non-aligned activities, uniquely differentiating through its representative ownership, research-led impact measurement, and relentless sector-wide professionalisation.