Building Your Career in Further Education
Becoming a Further Education teacher isn’t just a job. It allows you to enter a dynamic sector of the workforce that typically leads to a long and sustainable career that’s truly rewarding.
Here, we detail the typical roadmap of a building a career in further education – from long-term support and on-the-job training to what progression opportunities are available to help boost both your skillset and your pay.
Your First Steps: Initial Training & Support
While you may already have some sort of training to teach in colleges, it’s not necessarily a requirement for those just starting out. You may choose to train on the job through programmes like Initial Teacher Education (ITE) which combines practical job placements with academic study time.
There’s also Taking Teaching Further (TTF) that’s designed specifically for industry experts who are hoping to use their knowledge to transition into a career in FE teaching. Funding is provided directly to further education providers to cover the cost of an early career support package, including an intensive training course and reduced timetable.
Guidance and Mentoring for Success
As well as training for new teachers, having consistent mentoring throughout your FE career will be crucial. Most colleges provide teacher mentoring schemes by assigning more experienced staff members to newer recruits. They will typically offer guidance for a wide range of issues such as lesson planning and classroom management as well as more general support.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Further Education colleges aren’t just committed to providing learning opportunities for students. Becoming an FE teacher also ensures you get career-long Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
CPD for teachers is simply ongoing learning you’ll undertake to expand on your existing knowledge of a certain subject area or role. There are several types of CPD you might choose to undertake, from updating your industry-specific knowledge through courses, conferences and workshops to helping improve digital literacy through additional training schemes.
Pay Progression and Benefits
There are plenty of ways to earn more than your initial starting salary as a FE teacher. Many employers will offer pay progression as your teaching experience grows. You may also have the opportunity to boost your income a bit more if you decide to take on more responsibility – whether that’s a more senior role or by expanding your knowledge in a specialty subject.
As well as a good, stable salary (and plenty of opportunities to increase it over time), you’ll benefit from an FE pension scheme and a generous holiday allowance. A career in higher education additionally offers plenty of flexibility when it comes to working hours, with part-time and evening roles widely available.
Leadership and Specialisation Routes
If you decide a long-term career in Further Education is for you, you may want to explore more specialised routes for your progression pathway. This could include training to become:
- An Advanced Practitioner
- A Curriculum Lead
- A Head of Department
You could also shift your expertise into a cross-college role, such as a Staff Development or Quality Assurance job, to open up even more growth opportunities.
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Ready to Grow Your FE Career?
Whether you’ve already begun your career in FE or you’re just starting out after completing some training, there are so many ways to progress your career in high education teaching. Why not take a look at what roles and training pathways are currently available in your local area?