March 2003/13
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| To: | Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of universities in Northern Ireland |
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Human resources management, Strategic management |
| Reference: | 2003/13 |
| Publication date: | March 2003 |
| Enquiries to: | Tracy Allan tel 0117 931 7025 t.allan@hefce.ac.uk |
Executive summary (read on-line)
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Executive summary
Purpose
1. This is a consultation on HEFCE's plans to introduce recruitment incentives for teaching staff in higher education, also known as 'golden hellos'. These are being introduced from 2003-04 to encourage new entrants to teaching in higher education in subject areas where there is a shortage of staff. Indicative allocations of funds are provided. Comments are invited on how the scheme will operate.
Key points
2. The Government's commitment to introduce this staff recruitment incentive was made in the context of the target of 50 per cent of young people progressing to higher education, and golden hellos are one element of the package of measures needed to deliver that target.
3. Each golden hello should be worth £9,000. This would be paid over three years, in annual supplements of £4,000 in the first year, £3,000 for year 2, and £2,000 in the third year. As the emphasis of the scheme is on improving the quality of teaching, only those staff whose contract of employment includes a significant teaching commitment will qualify. In addition, we want to find a way of promoting retention in addition to recruitment, so payments would be made to the new teacher over a period of time.
4. The incentive is aimed towards the six selected shortage subject areas that have been identified as currently suffering the most difficulties in recruitment or retention. Funds will be distributed on the basis of the teaching costs of these selected shortage subjects.
5. In designing the scheme we have sought to keep the burden of accountability to a minimum. To ensure consistency and fairness across the sector, we propose to steer such a scheme by establishing key eligibility criteria, including which shortage subjects are to be supported. By limiting prescription we hope to encourage institutions to be as innovative as possible to maximise the potential benefit.
Action required
Comments are invited on how the scheme will operate. They should be sent to HEFCE by Wednesday 30 April 2003.