Recruitment and Retention in the Post-16 Learning and Skills Sector

7.6 Respondents with fixed term contracts reported slightly higher levels ofsatisfaction (86%) than permanent employees (82%) and ‘other’ groups(85%).7.7 Key benefits identified which contribute to this high level of satisfactionare as follows:• learning environment. Many staff enjoy working with adultlearners and helping people to progress on their own learningjourney: “it is the teaching, the contact with the learners, thesuccess of getting them through a course, the interaction with themand seeing them change as they progress throughout the year”.[Further Education];• community/value. A number of respondents cited good peersupport between them and their colleagues and the overall creationof a positive learning environment: “we are good at supporting eachother in the maths department which is very good”. [FurtherEducation];• flexibility and autonomy. Many staff, especially in adult andcommunity learning, feel that there is a high level of autonomy andflexibility relating to their jobs: “the fact that you are your ownmanager is a major source of satisfaction. The flexibility is apositive” [Adult and Community Learning];• personal factors. A number of specific comments were madeciting the personal benefits of working in the sector including paylevels, holidays and other aspects of terms and conditions: “theholidays [are a clear benefit], not just the summer one, but thewhole 13 weeks a year to me is equivalent to £15-20,000 a year,easily. You’d have to pay me a stupid amount each year tocompensate, and even then I'm not sure I would do it”. [FurtherEducation];• motivated learners. The general view is that adult learners aremotivated and keen to progress. Respondents cited the enjoymentthey get from the teaching of willing learners and not needing touse discipline in classroom management: “I enjoy teachingmotivated learners, and not having to be a disciplinarian as in theschool”. [Further Education];• variety. A small number of respondents identified the fact thateach day, week and year can be different and that this is amotivating factor: “I like moving around, being in different venueswith different groups of people and the sort of people you aremaking contact with is a much larger group”. [Adult andCommunity Learning].64