Further education (FE) teachers teach students over the age of 16 and some 14- to 16-year-olds doing work-related subjects. They work in a variety of learning environments, ranging from colleges and community centres to prisons and the armed forces. Courses they may teach include:

• academic subjects (like maths and English) often leading to qualifications such as GCSEs/S grades, AS levels, A levels/Highers
• vocational courses which train students for careers such as catering, construction and childcare, often leading to NVQs/SVQs
• leisure and hobby courses, such as photography.

The work of an FE teacher typically involves:

• planning and preparing lessons
• using a variety of teaching methods, such as seminars, tutorials and demonstrations
• setting and marking assignments, tests and exams 
• monitoring and assessing students’ progress
• developing new courses and teaching materials
• record keeping and other administrative tasks
• attending meetings, professional development courses and workshops
• interviewing prospective students
• acting as personal tutor, supporting students and helping with problems
• supervising practical work, work placements or field trips. 

FE teachers may teach full-time, part-time (day or evening) or day-release courses.

Hours and Environment

As a full-time FE teacher you will usually work up to 37 hours a week, with around 25 hours spent teaching. You could also be on a permanent contract to teach for a fraction of the week (known as ‘permanent fractional’) or do part-time non-permanent work (for example teaching a series of evening/daytime leisure courses).

You could be based in a classroom, workshop or laboratory, depending on the subject you teach. You might need to travel during your working day, for example to accompany field trips or assess students in the workplace.

Skills and Interests

To be an FE teacher you need:

• extensive knowledge of your subject and the ability to explain it at a level suitable for your students 
• the ability to relate well to students of all ages and abilities
• enthusiasm and the ability to motivate students
• the ability to express yourself clearly, both in speech and writing
• creativity to design interesting activities and materials
• good organisational and planning skills 
• patience and a sense of humour.

Entry

To become an FE teacher in England and Wales you need:

• a relevant academic, trade or professional qualification, or experience in the subject you want to teach
• teaching qualifications which are recognised by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK).

Three new qualifications will be available from September 2007. The first is the Level 3 or 4 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. This is a short introductory course which you will need to do before you can qualify as an associate or full teacher.

How to qualify as an associate teacher 
The Level 3 or 4 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector will qualify you as an associate teacher. As an associate teacher your work will focus on at least one of the following methods:

• using packs or pre-prepared materials, with little involvement in designing curriculum and materials
• teaching on a one-to-one basis
• teaching one particular level, subject or type of learner, rather than a full range
• teaching short courses (see the LLUK website for a definition).

How to qualify as a full teacher
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector is the minimum qualification you will need as a full teacher. It will also lead to QTLS status (Qualified Teacher, Learning and Skills). As a full teacher your work will involve:

• using teaching materials you have designed and evaluated
• teaching a range of levels, subjects and learner types
• teaching programmes of varying lengths.

The Level 5 Diploma is roughly equivalent to the present PGCE/Cert Ed in Further Education. Many universities and colleges will carry on using these titles for the new qualifications, although they will reference these qualifications against the Level 5 Diploma.

Contact LLUK for full details of qualifications and training providers. If you have already started to do qualifications, such as Stage 1 and/or 2 of City & Guilds 7407, you can get advice from the LLUK Information and Advice Service about where you will fit into the new qualification framework.

Training

You can train to become an FE teacher on a full-time or part-time basis. If you want to do a part-time course and are not already employed as a teacher, you will need to arrange some teaching hours independently. You may be able to do this on a voluntary basis.

To complete a teaching qualification whilst working as a teacher, you should:

• be well-qualified or experienced in the subject you intend to teach
• find an employer who is willing to take you on and support you in working towards qualifications
• complete a teaching qualification within a set time. 

When you are qualified as an FE teacher you will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date through recorded continuing professional development (CPD).Qualifying as an FE teacher does not give you qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in schools. See the Primary and Secondary School Teacher profiles for more information.

Opportunities

As an FE teacher in the UK you may work in a variety of learning environments, including:

• colleges of further education
• technical colleges
• tertiary colleges
• sixth-form colleges
• community colleges
• adult education centres
• the armed forces 
• the Prison Service
• work-based learning settings.

You will find vacancies advertised in the local and national press, and in specialist supplements such as the Education Guardian or the Times Educational Supplement.

With experience, you could be promoted to senior teacher or head of department. As places are limited, promotion is likely to involve moving to another college.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Qualified FE teachers can earn between £21,492 and £32,529. 
FE teachers in advanced teaching and training roles can earn between £32,529 and £36,618 a year. 
FE teachers in leadership and management roles can earn between £32,529 and £81,390 a year.

FE teachers working in London may get an additional allowance.

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