Considering the mystery of professionalism: Further education in the UK

Abstract

The paper considers the concept of professionalism, within the UK Further Education (FE) through an analysis of the literature. The paper identifies professionalism as a key feature of the changing landscape within UK FE since the Further and Higher Education Act (1992) which incorporated FE Colleges, allowing them levels of autonomy and discretion not seen before. With it, came new staffing contracts and changes to the expectations of a ‘professionalised’ staff teams. This paper suggests that despite 30 years having passed since incorporation, FE Colleges and their management still struggle with the concept of professionalism and its reality, noting particularly the dysfunctional nature of the sector and its difficulty in having a defined identity.