In December 2006, Lord Leitch published a 'Review of Skills', which challenges the UK to become a world leader in all levels of skills by 2020 and predicts a central role for the further education (FE) sector in enabling that change. The first step on this journey is improving the skills of the FE workforce itself.

Over the next three years the Catalyst programme will drive recruitment initiatives across FE, ensuring staff have the necessary skills to deliver exceptional teaching and training to their relevant sectors and are backed by world-class leadership.

Through four related programmes, the Catalyst programme will introduce:

• new graduate and management recruitment schemes, meeting the needs of employers and promoting FE as a career of choice
• guidance and support for learning providers in recruiting staff and filling key vacancies
• clear career progression routes, training and support for FE managers
• new opportunities and qualifications, helping industry specialists move into teaching
• flexible continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities, allowing staff to become more 'industry aware' and to deliver a better learning experience as a result
• partnerships between FE and local businesses, which can positively influence the future delivery of teaching and training.

This work will be managed by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), the independent employer-led sector skills council responsible for the professional development of more than one million employees in the UK lifelong learning sector and part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led sector skills councils.