professional PrqcticeTETA 1060 – Wider Professional Practice (WPP)

Task 1 (a): With reference to wider reading, analyse and evaluate the concept of professionalism and core professional values in the lifelong learning sector.
A ‘professional’ is defined by businessdictionary (2013) as:
“Person formally certified by a professional body of belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies and/or practice. And whose competence can usually be measured against an established set of standards.”
Using this definition do teachers in the lifelong learning sector qualify as professionals?
Prior to 2007 teachers did not have a professional body. In 2007 the Institute for Learning (IfL) was established and this is now the independent professional body for everybody working in the sector of further education (FE) and skills, with membership then becoming a requirement. The IfL drew up a Code of Professional Practice in 2008, outlining the expected behaviour of members and qualifications which were approved by parliament (IfL 2013). In addition membership confirmed a commitment to continuous professional development (CPD), a commonly recognised element of professional status. In 2009 Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status became a recognised professional status, followed by awards in 2012 and recognised members now being qualified to work in schools.

Looking at the given definition of a ‘professional’, it can easily be defended that teachers in FE are professionals. Unfortunately in 2012 statuary requirement of IfL membership was removed, even a teaching qualification is no longer mandatory to teach in FE. Also the required CPD is no longer stipulated, although still encouraged! It can easily be argued that the term professional within FE is in jeopardy.
FE stands out as being different “It is not