What Subjects Are Eligible as Part of The Government’s Targeted Retention Incentive Payments?
It’s not just the construction industry that can transfer their experience and skills to a rewarding career in teaching.
What are Targeted Retention Incentive Payments?
This monetary incentive is part of the government’s drive to support schools and colleges to recruit and retain the talented teachers they need in the future. Previously called the ‘levelling up premium payment’ by the former Conservative government, Labour has now renamed it to “targeted retention incentive payments”. The claim window opened on 14th October and the first round is now open to applicants up until 31st March 2025. The targeted retention incentive payment is available to those in their first 5 years of their Further Education teaching career (at an approved FE college), and ranges from £2,000 to £6,000, depending on:
- the provider you teach at
- the number of hours you teach
What is classed as Further Education?
Further education (FE) is education for people aged 16 or over who are not studying for a degree. This can include, colleges, sixth forms, and private training providers (although the targeted retention incentive payments only applies to approved statutory FE providers and 16- to 19-only academies and schools).
Unlike primary and secondary schools, FE providers often let you start teaching while you work towards a qualification. This means those with industry experience have more opportunities open to them than they may think, even if you do not currently hold a teaching qualification.
What subjects could I teach?
Eligible subjects include:
Building & Construction
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the building and construction sector subject area
- T Level in building services engineering for construction
- T Level in on-site construction
- T Level in design, surveying and planning for construction level 2 or level 3 apprenticeships in the construction and the built environment occupational route
Chemistry
- A or AS level in chemistry
- GCSE in chemistry
- IBO level 3 SL and HL chemistry, taught as part of a diploma or career related programme or as a standalone certificate
- IBO level 1 / level 2 MYP chemistry
Computing
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the Digital technology (practitioners) sector subject area
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the Digital technology for users sector subject area
- Digital functional skills qualifications and essential digital skills qualifications
- T Level in digital support services
- T Level in digital business services
- T Level in digital production, design and development
- IBO level 3 SL and HL computer science, taught as part of a diploma or career related programme or as a standalone certificate
- Level 2 or level 3 apprenticeships in the digital occupational route
Engineering & Manufacturing
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the engineering sector subject area
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the manufacturing technologies sector subject area
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the transportation operations and maintenance sector subject area
- T Level in design and development for engineering and manufacturing
- T Level in maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
- T Level in engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
- Level 2 or level 3 apprenticeships in the engineering and manufacturing occupational route
Maths
- Qualifications approved for funding at level 3 and below in the mathematics and statistics sector subject area
- GCSE in maths, functional skills qualifications and other maths qualifications for teaching to 16- to 19-year-olds who meet the condition of funding
Physics
- A or AS level in physics
- GCSE in physics
- IBO level 1 / level 2 MYP physics
- IBO level 3 in SL and HL physics, taught as part of a diploma or career related programme or as a standalone certificate
Early Years
- Early years practitioner (level 2) apprenticeship
- Early years educator (level 3) apprenticeship
- T Level in education and early years (specialism – early years educator) – this is only eligible when assessed in the early year foundation stage, and in an early years setting in England
Do I need a qualification to teach at an FE college?
In many cases, if you have industry experience, you can even find a teaching job without holding a teaching qualification – in which cases the FE provider would usually fund training for you. Further Education teacher training is not related to the skill you will teach, but rather will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to enable you to become an effective teacher no matter what the subject.
If you want to become a teacher in further education, studying the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) is the best way to go, and is also a great way to achieve QTLS status which can help you to enhance your CV.
Compass deliver the Level 5 DIT (FE & Skills) over 1 year with a mix of classroom sessions, assignments and observations of teaching.
Classes start in January 2025 with only 1 day per month required for in person attendance, meaning you can fit your studies around your work.
Learners must be able to demonstrate the requirements of the qualification and have access to required assessment opportunities and relevant resources (e.g. at an FE training provider or college, or a placement).
Click below to learn more or email info@compass-ms.co.uk for more information.
