A groundbreaking scheme to encourage people from industry to teach in the further education sector has been given extra funding to expand.

The Teach Too programme, run by the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), allows people working in industry to pass on their expertise and help to develop the vocational curriculum for FE colleges and other training providers while still remaining employed.

The first phase, launched last June, saw a number of successful projects set up with between employers and educators, and yesterday it was announced that a further £580,000 would be provided by the Education and Training Foundation for a second phase to help support colleges and training providers’ work with employers.

This will have a specific focus on vocational science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) programmes, with organisers particularly keen to develop a specialist maths strand, a key government priority.

The aim is to strengthen the links between education and employment and give students on vocational courses a “clear line of sight” to work in their chosen field through insights from industry experts, the IOE said.

Stella Turner, head of qualifications and delivery at the AELP, said it was “exciting” to see the positive benefits of industry staff working with teachers and trainers.

Professor Chris Husbands, director of the IOE, said: “It is vital that education and industry work together so that young people and adults are better prepared to enter the world of work and to continue developing their skills within employment.

“We must recognise the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm that all employees can bring to business productivity and development, and the vital contribution that experienced industrial practitioners can make to vocational education and training.”

For more information, visit: http://www.teachtoo.org/