THE introduction of national standards for college lecturer-training is happening faster than expected.

So far 46 universities and eight awarding bodies have applied for endorsement. It was originally thought that only 26 higher education institutions would come forward, according to the national training organisation and Fforwm, the association of colleges in Wales.

Of those who have applied, 24 have so far gained endorsement, subject to a visit from FENTO, the training organisation, and future monitoring. Some have only applied relatively recently and are still being processed but most are expected to be endorsed.

A further three universities are expected to apply this term, with three more expected to come on line for September.

Institutions have to show they can meet FENTO standards and that they have adequate quality assurance measures in place.

“Competence is a baseline and minimum standards must be met, but we are also looking for variety in course content and styles of delivery,” said Hilary Stone, the organisation’s director of standards.

The Department for Education and Skills says it will no longer recognise qualifications which do not comply with the new standards. Students who get such qualifications will have to take part in further training.

Training standards for Welsh college lecturers are also coming under the spotlight in the country’s 24 colleges.

A skills audit is being carried out by Fforwm, the Welsh Colleges Forum, and Cymru FENTO, the Welsh national training organisation for the sector.

“Work of this kind has already taken place in England,” said Gavin Thomas, national development officer of Cymru FENTO.

“Colleges in Wales have already expressed their willingness and enthusiasm to take part in this audit as, inevitably, results gained from the work will be in their interests.

“It will lead to the continuous personal development of the staff, and therefore greater effectiveness and performance rates for the colleges themselves.

“There is a major opportunity to invest in the skills level of college lecturers in Wales. This audit will therefore prove a useful means of helping to inform colleges and stakeholders of the current situation, and setting out what is required to tackle any deficiencies or gaps the audit may reveal.”

The Welsh colleges will be hoping things go more smoothly on their side of the border than in England, where one institution, Warwick University, has refused to seek FENTO accreditation for its lecturers’ course (See FE Focus, December 21, 2002).

John Field, leader of its certificate of education (FE) course, says the standards sell lecturers short and impose unnecessary bureaucracy.