adult education organiser

The work

Adult education organisers, also known as community education organisers aim to ensure that all members of their community have access to part-time and evening educational activities and are aware of the opportunities that are available. This includes:

• courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications such as GCSEs and A levels (in Scotland, S grades and H grades)
• leisure interest courses such as languages, computing or keep fit
• courses to develop confidence and learning skills, such as literacy and numeracy.

Some adult education organisers work with particular groups such as families, ethnic minority groups or young people, or in areas where there are high levels of unemployment or social deprivation. They try to promote the benefits of lifelong learning and to help to break down barriers which are preventing people from taking advantage of the available opportunities to improve their skills.

Their responsibilities are likely to include:

• working with local groups to identify needs and interests
• planning ways in which these needs can be met
• encouraging course providers to develop new learning opportunities to meet community needs
• working with local schools, colleges and community centres to arrange venues and times for courses
• taking part in the recruitment of tutors
• preparing and distributing information about local learning opportunities 
• advising people about their choice of course 
• making sure that local and national targets are met
• visiting classes to make sure that the programme is going as planned
• administrative work (they may have an assistant to help with this task)
• attending training courses and keeping up to date with lifelong learning developments
• controlling budgets and bidding for more funding (if you are at a senior level).
  
  

Hours and Environment

As an adult education organiser you may work full-time or part-time, but will almost certainly work during evenings, and sometimes on Saturdays. 

You will usually be based in an office in a school, college or local centre where courses are held. You may sometimes work from home. You will need to travel locally to visit classes and go to meetings, so you will usually need a driving licence.

Skills and Interests

To be an adult education organiser you should:

• have experience of working with adults, preferably  
• be committed to lifelong learning
• be able to encourage and motivate people from a variety of different backgrounds
• be able to work on your own initiative and as a team member or leader 
• understand the education and qualification system
• have good planning and organising skills
• be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
• be able to empathise and help people overcome barriers to learning
• be committed to equal opportunities
• be flexible and adaptable.
  

Entry

To become an adult education organiser you are likely to need one of the following, depending on the job:

• a teaching or adult tutoring qualification and experience
• youth and community qualifications and experience
• a degree and relevant paid or voluntary community experience.

Relevant degree subjects include:

• educational studies
• community education
• communication studies
• youth/community work.

Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) can provide a list of approved further education teaching qualifications - see Further Information below for contact details. You could also check the Lecturer: Further Education profile.

Management or administration experience can be an advantage.

Training

Once you are in a job you can develop and update your skills by attending short courses. These may be provided in-house, or be provided by lifelong learning or community development organisations.

You can also take either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) in post-compulsory education or a City and Guilds Further/Adult Education teaching qualification. You can get details of these from Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) - see Further Information below for a link to their website.

Depending on your job, you could also consider qualifications such as NVQs or diplomas in youth and community work, which are often available part-time.

Opportunities

Adult education organisers in England and Wales work for local education authorities, colleges of further education or independently funded community organisations.

In Scotland they work for the Community Education Service, an independently funded community organisation, a further education college or a higher education institution.

The number of adult education organisers has increased as a result of Government commitment to lifelong learning.

Promotion opportunities in adult education tend to be more limited than in further education and higher education. Adult education organisers may be able to transfer to teaching, educational guidance work or community development. They may move into an urban or rural regeneration project.

Vacancies are often advertised in the local press and on local authority, or specific institution, websites.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entrants with an adult teaching qualification may earn £16,000 to £20,000 a year.
Experienced organisers can earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year.

Further information

5th Floor
St Andrew’s House
18-20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AY
Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email: advice@lluk.org

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