The first REC Audited Education panel is set to meet this week to bring together recruiters working in the education sector with key stakeholders.

Chaired by Professor John Howson, from the University of Oxford, the panel will offer the opportunity for representatives from key education bodies to raise and address issues that concern education recruiters and the flexible workforce in the sector, and help to guide the development of the REC Audited Education product.

Representatives from the REC will be joined by the Independent Academies Association, the Association of School and College Leaders, Voice: the union for education professionals and the National Association of School Business Management. The first meeting will also be observed by the Department for Education and the British Council.

Professor John Howson said: “With the increase in school population over the next decade, the panel will provide an opportunity for recruiters and others involved in ensuring an adequate supply of trained teachers to come together on a regular basis and work through the challenges involved in matching teacher supply with demand.”

REC director of policy and professional services Tom Hadley said: “With so much happening in the education space it’s more important than ever to build strong links with key players and leading experts in order to pre-empt  evolving recruitment challenges in the sector.

“The new advisory panel is the latest milestone for the REC’s long established education sector group. As well as informing our campaigning work on issues safe recruitment and teacher shortages the panel will  ensure that industry initiatives such as REC Audited Education continue to meet the needs of end-users.”

For more information on REC Audited Education go to the REC website http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/standards/safe-recruitment