Start a rewarding career teaching construction in FE
Did you know that excellent trade knowledge is the only qualification you need to begin a new career teaching construction in FE?
If you’re ready to put down your tools and achieve a better work-life balance, a new teaching career could be just the change you need.
Whether you have experience working as a site manager, sparky, or brickie, the practical skills and specialist knowledge that you’ve gathered during your years working on-site are exactly what FE employers are looking for.
On this page, we’ll explore which construction trades you can teach in FE and what you need to get started.
Which construction trades have the highest demand for teachers?
Building and structural trades
FE colleges are always looking for people with real-world construction experience who can share their wealth of knowledge and the tricks of the trade with the next generation of workers. You don’t need to be an expert at everything; FE colleges need people who have specialised in a particular trade.
Your skills are in demand if you have worked in:
- Bricklaying and masonry
- Carpentry and joinery
- Plastering and drylining
- Painting and decorating
- Site management and quantity surveying
- Civil engineering
Start teaching construction trades in FE, to swap manual labour and cold building sites for the chance to inspire learners in a comfortable classroom.
Building services and installation
Technical trades like plumbing and gas engineering form the backbone of the construction industry. These trades require a high level of skill and technical knowledge to ensure installations are safe. Experts teaching electrical installation in FE and other technical trades can expect to receive a reliable and competitive salary working in further education.
Colleges are experiencing a shortage of teachers in the following trades:
- Electrical installation (domestic and industrial systems)
- Plumbing
- Gas engineering and HVAC
On top of a competitive salary, those teaching plumbing in FE, or any other technical trade, may also be eligible to claim a financial bonus from the government.
Green skills and modern construction
Today, teaching green skills in FE is more important than ever. Further education colleges are looking for construction professionals who have hands-on experience in modern, sustainable, and low-carbon building practices. Your knowledge will educate the next generation of construction workers, futureproof our buildings, and look after our environment.
FE colleges need teachers with experience in the following green skills:
- Retrofitting
- Heat pumps
- Solar installation
If you enjoy the technical side of your job but are tired of long hours and manual labour, teaching green skills in FE could be the next exciting chapter for you.
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Do I need qualifications to teach construction in further education?
Many construction professionals don’t realise that they already have the qualifications to teach vocational subjects. This isn’t a role that requires a university degree – it’s one that calls for real-world practical experience doing the thing that you’re teaching.
FE colleges are looking for people to start work immediately and complete teacher training on the job. You will earn a full salary from day one, and many colleges will pay for you to complete a recognised qualification to teach vocational subjects. It’s a practical, paid route into a new career teaching in FE.
"Industry professionals are best placed to pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation. You can have lots of certificates, but nothing can replace real life experience and knowledge of working in the construction industry."
Peter, painting and decorating teacher
Financial incentives for becoming an FE construction teacher
With FE construction teachers in short supply, the government is offering significant financial incentives to encourage experienced tradespeople to move into teaching.
On top of a reliable and competitive monthly income, you may also be eligible to claim a Targeted Retention Incentive payment of up to £6,000 within your first five years of teaching.
You’ll also gain access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, ensuring long-term financial security for you and your family.