Teaching in Colleges: A Career in Further Education
Are you currently exploring a career in teaching? If so, you might be wondering whether you should apply for a role in a Further Education or consider teaching in a university or school.
Each option provides a unique teaching environment and comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here, we’ll take a detailed look at the benefits of an FE career – including examining practicalities, pay and potential teaching pathways.
Why Teach in a College? FE, Schools and Universities
Not sure what the differences are between teaching in FE colleges and teaching in schools or Higher Education (HE)? Let’s take a look:
Teaching in FE | Teaching in schools | Teaching in Higher Education |
|---|---|---|
Older students (aged 16+ or adult learners) | Younger students (aged 4 – 16) | Young adult students (18+) |
Range of settings e.g. colleges, adult learning centres, apprenticeship training programmes | Primary or secondary school setting with national curriculum structure | Teaching in university settings or Higher Education institutes |
Curriculum often focused on practical or industry skills | Strong pastoral focus on student wellbeing | Degree level programmes with specialist focuses |
More independent learning structure | Mainly teaching core subjects in a classroom setting | Varied teaching structure e.g. lectures, seminars, workshops |
Various routes into teaching – PGCE, Diploma in Teaching, vocational experience | Requires QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) | Requires advanced subject expertise |
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Pay and Benefits in FE Teaching
If you’re strongly considering a career teaching in a college, one major factor that might influence your final decision is the financial benefits.
FE is a career area that prides itself on investing in its workforce. You’ll find pay for FE teachers varies depending on your experience and skillset. More advanced FE teachers will typically earn more, as will those in more senior leadership positions. Having extensive industry experience in your chosen teaching subject can also influence your pay bracket.
Even if you’re at the beginning of your teaching journey and your pay is at the lower end of the scale, you could still enjoy plenty of college teacher benefits. This includes things such as generous holiday allowances, decent pension schemes and flexible working options if you’re keen to only work part-time or take on an evening teaching job.
Professional Development and Mentoring
Another benefit of teaching FE in a college is the potential for long-term career growth through continuing professional development (CPD).
Most institutes will provide opportunities to improve and add to your skills – whether that’s through a clear progression pathway or a mentoring programme if you’re at the very start of your teaching career.
Perhaps you’d like to work towards becoming a Curriculum Lead or even a Head of Department? Your chosen teaching college should provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals.
Your Pathway to Teaching in a College
When it comes to how to become a college teacher in FE, you’ll have many different pathways to choose from.
Most people will complete a traditional teaching qualification such as a PGCE – but it’s not always a requirement. Many teaching colleges will value teaching candidates who have extensive industry experience, whether that’s in engineering, healthcare or digital.
If you’re keen to spend less time training and more time teaching, you could choose a pathway that allows you to train on the job. This includes Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes where you can train in a college part- or full-time while simultaneously working towards your teaching qualification.
Sometimes, it’s not always possible financially to complete your teacher training without having another job to boost your earnings. You may be able to source funding to help cover the costs of your college teacher training, including full or partial bursaries through specific colleges.
The Impact You'll Make
No matter which teaching pathway you choose or what role you decide to take on, you can rest easy knowing you’ll likely be making a real, tangible difference.
Sharing your unique skills through Further Education teaching could prepare someone for a brand-new career that will completely change their lives. Or you may even help boost your local economy by assisting in training skilled people to enter the workforce.