Good news for BLEND

A professional development centre for teachers has been selected as an example of good practice for a European study.

The Black Country Literacy ESOL and Numeracy Professional Development (BLEND) Centre is part of the School of Education and is based at Walsall Campus. It is used by teachers in the Black Country who are involved in the delivery of Skills for Life.

Fifteen initiatives from across Europe have been selected as examples of good practice for the study carried out on behalf of the European Commission (Directorate-General for Education and Culture) and Cedefop, including BLEND. The collection of examples focus on professional development opportunities for in-company trainers in Europe.

Since 2001 it has been a requirement for teachers working in further education to hold, or be working towards, a teaching qualification. From September 2007 all new entrants to further education teaching will be expected to be working toward the new award of ‘Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills’ (QTLS).

The School of Education offers a number of routes leading to QTLS for those who wish to be employed in a variety of post-16 educational and training establishments.

Teacher training courses are delivered at BLEND, in the form of PGCEs, Cert Eds (Integrated Skills Route) and stand-alone subject specialisms. Many short courses are also delivered for teachers involved in Skills for Life, for example, Approaches to Skills for Life for Vocational teachers, Writing a Good ILP, Using Digital Media in the Classroom, Practical Strategies for Teaching Literacy, ESOL and Numeracy.