Further education: characteristics of the workforce

In 2008/9, 44% of the FE workforce was educated to at least degree level, although this is a slight decline in the figure compared with the previous three years'  qualifications [Annual Workforce Diversity Profile 2008-2009]. Unsurprisingly, graduates were largely in managerial, or lecturing and teaching roles. 60% of employees worked part-time, with two thirds of teaching staff employed on a part-time basis, whilst 73% of managers were on full-time contracts. The sector has traditionally had a relatively high level of fixed-term contract working, but this is gradually falling and in 2008/9, 70% of FE staff were employed on a permanent basis. Almost all managers were permanent staff, but staff on fixed-term and agency contracts made up 32% of the teaching and lecturing workforce.

The sector also has a workforce that is slightly older than the national labour force: 35% were aged 50 or over compared with a national average of 24%; although staff aged between 25 and 34 were the most likely to have qualifications at degree level or above. 64% of the FE workforce in 2008/9 were women. In 2009/10, the average salary for a full-time senior manager in FE was £65,370, for other managers £34,052 and for teaching and lecturing staff, £29,281[Data from Staff Individualised Record Data, 2009/10].