As a 48-year-old lecturer in information and communications technology, I am going back to industry as I cannot make ends meet in west London on the lecturers’ pay scale. The IT industry is booming again and will shortly demand staff, yet FE cannot recruit or retain experienced IT staff because salaries are so low.
Nothing new here, I expect - but without attracting talent from industry, FE cannot really produce the right effect on students.
It is no suprise that so few ICT departments are top-rated; only two of 28 are in the west London, Bucks, and Berks areas - the heart of the IT industry in the UK.
John Latchford
23 Moreton Ave
Isleworth, Middlesex