Further education

A career in further education could be the right choice for you if you like the idea of working with older students in a college environment. Further education (FE) colleges tend to offer vocational and academic qualifications to anyone over 16, including adult learners, providing education through lectures and tutorials. Another option is working in a sixth-form college; these cater for 16 to 19-year-olds studying for A levels, NVQs or other post-GCSE qualifications. In general, there is likely to be less of a focus on disciplinary issues in sixth-form and FE colleges.

There is likely to be less of a focus on disciplinary issues in sixth-form and FE colleges.

Skills and qualifications

There are new qualification requirements in place for all those entering the lifelong learning teaching force in England. If you wish to enter post-16 teaching in colleges or sixth-form colleges, you will need either a qualification in the subject you wish to teach – typically either at degree level or equivalent vocational level – or substantial professional experience in your field. You will also need to have or be willing to work towards an approved teaching qualification. Schoolteacher qualifications such as the PGCE, BEd and certificates or diplomas in education are recognised, and other teaching or training qualifications may also be taken into account.

Alternatively, the required qualification for most teachers in post-16 learning is a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS), which takes one year full time or two years part time. If you choose to follow a part-time course, you will need to find some work teaching before enrolling on the course. If you wish to work in work-based learning or training the same regulations may apply, depending on how the training is funded. Financial assistance may be available in the form of loans to cover tuition fees, maintenance grants and, for those training to teach a shortage subject, training bursaries. It’s important to note that DTLLS does not qualify you to teach in schools in the maintained sector.

The qualification requirements for teaching in this sector vary across the UK and the Lifelong Learning UKwebsite also provides information and contact details for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.