Thinking about a change of career – what about teaching?
Are you experienced in your industry but in need of a change? Maybe you work in construction or as an electrician but you’re now looking for a new challenge. Why not consider teaching and sharing your knowledge and passion onto the next generation?
According to research from the Department for Education, 45% of people interested in teacher training are ‘career changers’,; moving to teach from their current industry. A lack of experience educating doesn’t need to be a barrier to the right understanding of your career.
Here’s some advice which could help you make that final decision to move into teaching:
You have “real world” experience
Your practical industry experience can make you a suitable educator with knowledge beyond what it is taught in.
As well as many years “on the job,” you may have mentored apprentices. These interactions have been preparing you for educating others.
You will be able to teach the students many useful things about construction and bring transferable skills such as organisation and communication. However, it will be important to transfer your experience to the curriculum, ensuring you are educating in line with assessment standards. All of this has to be learnt on the job or through study.
How do I become a lecturer?
If you’re a master of your vocation, Further Education offers a great route into education. Depending on your industry experience, you may be able to go straight into a teaching role if you meet the college’s requirements. However, the easiest way to get into teaching is to complete a Level 3 Award and Training qualification (AET),. Courses are available at training providers across the UK and can take as little as a few weeks to complete.
Key skills needed for a teaching role
Every teacher is unique in their teaching style and methods. However, to be an effective teacher, you will be required to demonstrate a varied set of skills. These include:
· Good communication skills
· Patience
· The ability to inspire a class
· The ability to be relatable to your students
· In-depth subject knowledge
These skills can be finessed over time, and with the variety involved in a teaching role, you will gain new skills in return.
Teacher benefits
Of course, the main reason that most people move into teaching is because they want to work with the next generation of students in their profession. It’s particularly rewarding to teach within Further Education as your students have elected to be there and pursue the subject that first inspired you. But there are many other benefits to teaching in further education:
You can move into it gradually. By taking a part-time contract, you can mix the hours with your current role or slow down as you start transitioning to retirement.
Career progression. Your career in education can progress by working your way up in your department and having your eyes on the role you want next. From Technical Assistant to Head of Department they are opportunities to move up the career ladder.
Training support. There are many opportunities for personal development in education. Often, the education provider you work with will fund your further qualifications. In 2022, the UK Government stated that almost 30,000 teachers and leaders started a fully funded National Professional Qualification (NPQ),. If you show your worth, colleges will invest in your future.
Comfortable pension. Careers with FE Colleges, often offer impressive pensions. When applying for a college, it’s worth researching the pension scheme as educators often receive more than the average 3% employer contribution,.
Golden hello. Saved for the highest-achieving educators, to attract them into education from industry. These rare benefits are a one-time incentive payment when you begin your placement. This Golden Hello is offered by some further education providers.
FE teachers are in demand. The FE sector is growing and is constantly looking for skilled professionals to teach the next generation in their profession. As a result, the salary offering can be quite competitive.
Healthy holiday entitlement. Typically speaking, full-time FE lecturers enjoy around 37 days of holiday plus bank holidays. Spend time with family or for yourself, as the term breaks give you extensive time to relax.
So, if you’re looking for job security, a competitive salary and, most importantly, an inspiring career change, moving from industry to teaching may be your next goal.
Contact our team at 0203 011 0044 to discuss your options and our current opportunities.