GovWire

What is further education

Further education (FE) is for learners who want to:

• learn a skill or trade
• study a vocational subject
• develop their professional career
• take post-16 academic studies
• study as part of an apprenticeship
• take adult learning courses in basic English, maths and other entry level courses

As a teacher in FE you could teach a diverse set of learners, including young people and adults.

If teaching a skill or trade, youll spend more time in practical settings such as workshops rather than in a classroom.

How to get into FE teaching

To teach in FE, youll need:

• skills, knowledge and experience in your subject
• the willingness to work towards a teaching qualification (or have one already)

Ideally youll have industry experience. For some providers, it is preferable for you to have a relevant trade qualification, usually at level 3. You can find out more information about what qualification levels mean.

Youll also need level 2 maths and English skills. If you do not have these qualifications, FE providers might want to assess your knowledge and skills. They may support you to improve your maths and English skills as part of your training.

It will be expected that those who train on the job or in their own time will be working towards completing either a teaching qualification or a level 5 FE teaching apprenticeship.

Train on the job

There is no specific entry path to becoming a teacher inFE. One way is to apply for a teaching job with anFEprovider that can support you to train on the job.

You can start work as an FE teacher as soon as you can get a job with an FE provider. When you apply for a job, FE providers will look for:

• knowledge of your subject
• experience of your industry
• practical skills youve learnt in your career

Find a job in FE teaching.

Benefits of training on the job

This may be the best approach if:

• you want to start teaching in FE soon
• there is a suitable job available at a local college or training provider
• you do not want to pay for teacher training yourself

The provider may support you to study, for example:

• a teaching qualification
• a level 5 FE teaching apprenticeship

The qualification you work towards will be decided by your employer. Find out more about what qualification levels mean.

Train in your own time

If you prefer to train before starting a new role, you can do your teacher training in your own time around your commitments.

Once you have completed your training you can apply for any suitable jobs.

Benefits of training in your own time

This may be the best approach if:

• you do not want to be tied-in to any one provider once youve qualified
• you want to get a taste for FE before you commit to teaching in it

You may be eligible to apply for a student loan to help pay for the course fees and living expenses. Find out about student finance.

Bursaries

Depending on your subject, you may be able to get a tax-free bursary with your teacher training course.

FE teacher training bursaries are worth 12,000 to 26,000 over the length of the course.

For example, if the course is 2 years in length, a 26,000 bursary would amount to 13,000 per year.

A set number of bursaries are released each year. Your course provider will let you know if you are eligible. Find out about bursaries available for 2022 to 2023.

Where you could work

Places where FE teachers work include:

• colleges
• independent training providers (ITPs)
• adult community learning
• workplaces
• prisons

FE is not the same as:

• university
• secondary school, including school sixth forms

Colleges

There are many types of colleges including general colleges, sixth form colleges, land-based colleges and national specialist colleges. Colleges offer a wide range of courses, both vocational and academic, and you may teach a wide variety of full-time and part-time students.

Independent training providers (ITPs)

ITPs are typically a part of the private or charity sector, with many working closely with employers to deliver work-based courses.

Adult community learning

Adult community learning includes a range of community-based and outreach learning opportunities. This type of learning is managed and coordinated by local authorities and their partners to deliver adult education and training courses.

Workplaces

Some companies deliver in-house training which allows them to support their staff through their qualifications.

Prisons

Courses are normally available to help prisoners gain new skills, for example learning to read and write, use computers, or do basic maths.

What you could teach

FE providers teach a huge range of courses, from social care to construction.

Often the subjects taught reflect the needs of the local economy.

The courses taught include:

• GCSEs
• T levels (new qualifications in technical subjects, broadly equivalent to 3 A levels)
• BTECs
• apprenticeships
• entry level courses

Professions, vocations and trades

There are many subjects taught in FE. The best way of discovering them is to explore your local FE provider websites.

Heres a sample list of sectors covered byFEteaching:

• agriculture, environment and animal care
• business, administration and office management
• catering and hospitality
• childcare and education
• construction
• creative and design
• digital and IT
• emergency and armed services
• engineering and manufacturing
• hair and beauty
• health and life sciences
• legal, finance and accounting
• sales, marketing and procurement
• social care
• transport and logistics

Academic subjects

You could teach subjects like:

• English
• maths
• science
• social sciences
• humanities
• modern foreign languages
• art and design
• performing arts

Some FE providers require you to have a degree i

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