Search results

The Golden Hello initiative was introduced in September 2002 as part of the UK government’s overarching strategy to reform further education (FE) and training in England. Its aim was ‘to increase the attractiveness of teaching in the FE sector, increase the recruitment and retention of new teachers and contribute to a more highly qualified workforce’. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of this initiative undertaken by York Consulting Limited (YCL). Key findings suggest that while it is not yet possible to definitely and quantifiably comment on effect and impact, there is evidence that the initiative is having some positive effects in terms of recipients feeling more valued and motivated, increased speed of enrolment for an appropriate teaching qualification for some teachers, and increased recruitment and retention. There are also some negative effects in that the restricted eligibility for Golden Hellos is seen by some as divisive and the payments are not felt to be sufficient to affect longer-term behaviour, and in most colleges, the Golden Hello is operated as a discrete initiative and there is no evidence of variance in approach for different shortage subject areas.