Career in Education and Training: An Overview

The education and training sector is the backbone of any thriving society. It offers a diverse and fulfilling range of career paths for those passionate about making a positive impact on learners of all ages. So, if you're passionate about making a positive impact and enjoy sharing knowledge, a career in education and training could be the perfect fit.

There are lots of different jobs you can do in this field, like teaching in schools or training people for specific jobs in different industries.

Let's talk about how to start a career in Education and Training and look at the different jobs you can apply if you're interested in this area.

How to Start a Career in Education and Training?

Education jobs encompass roles from teaching young children to developing training programs for adults. Working in this field can be very satisfying because you can see how your skills and passion help your students. But, especially for newly qualified teachers (NQTs), the hours can be long, and there's a lot of planning and preparation to do.

There's a big need for teachers, especially in secondary STEM, like science, technology, engineering, math, and languages. Teaching also gives you skills that are useful in many other jobs.

Where Can I Work?

You can work in different places in education:

• Schools and colleges: There are lots of teachers, teaching kids from as young as 5 to adults over 16. Some teach all subjects, while others specialize.
• Universities: Besides teaching and research, universities have many other jobs like supporting students or managing the school.
• Further Education (FE): Deliver vocational training or academic courses to individuals aged 16 and above. You’ll equip them with the skills they need for specific careers.
• Other areas: Besides teaching, there are many other jobs in education, like helping students or managing schools. You can also teach English in other countries.

What Can I Do?

There are many different jobs in education:

• Teaching roles: You could be a teacher in primary or secondary school or teach adults in further education.
• Non-teaching roles: Besides teaching, you can work in jobs like administration, counseling, or helping students with their careers.
• Other roles: You could work in museums, helping kids learn outside of school. Or you could become a psychologist, helping kids who struggle with learning.

Qualification Requirements

Each area within education and training has specific qualification needs. Here's a breakdown for UK teachers:

Early Years & Primary Education

• A Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is mandatory.
• Obtain a QTS through a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) program. These programs typically last a year and involve a combination of coursework, placements in schools, and practical training.

Secondary Education

• A QTS with a specialization in your chosen subject is required.
• Similar to primary education, a PGCE program with your chosen subject specialization is a common route.

Further Education (FE)

• While a formal teaching qualification isn't always mandatory, having a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training or a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training can enhance your employability. These qualifications equip you with the skills to deliver training programs effectively.
• Industry experience in your chosen field can also be highly valuable in FE.

Higher Education (HE)

• A PhD in your field is usually a prerequisite.
• Strong research and teaching experience is crucial. Often, HE lecturers come from industry with extensive experience before pursuing a PhD.

What to Consider While Choosing Your Training Program

When picking a training program for teaching and education, there are important things to think about:

• Accreditation: Make sure the course is approved by well-known groups like NCFE and overseen by Ofqual. Being accredited makes your qualifications more trustworthy and looks good on your resume.
• Curriculum: Check that the program covers all the important topics like what teachers do, teaching laws, effective ways to help students learn, and how to test them. A good mix of subjects will give you the skills you need to teach well.
• Support: See if the program offers enough help from tutors. Having someone to email when you're stuck can be really helpful, especially during the course.
• Flexibility: Look for a program that lets you start whenever you want and study at your own pace. This way, you can fit your studies around your job and life.
• Job Opportunities: Find out what kinds of jobs you can get after finishing the course. Look for programs that talk about job options and how you can move up in the teaching world.
• Practical Experience: Check if the program gives you chances to practice teaching, like doing short lessons in a real classroom. This helps you put what you've learned into practice and feel more confident as a teacher.

At Lead Academy, you will get all these advantages along with the opportunity to learn under the guidance of experienced tutors and get their timely feedback to help you improve and pass the qualification.

Other Key Factors to Consider

If you want to get some experience

Volunteering with a charity that focuses on education or working in a school. You can also work as a tutor or teaching assistant. If you're interested in leadership roles in education, think about becoming a school governor or charity trustee.

If you're just starting out

If you want to be a teacher, think about which training path is right for you. If you're not interested in teaching, find a good starting job that helps you understand how schools work and learn skills you can use in other jobs later on.

If you have more experience

In the UK, getting Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is usually the way to go, no matter where you are in your career. But some academies and private schools might value your industry experience too. For non-teaching roles, think about how your past experience could help in the education sector.