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Further education (FE) lecturers teach academic and work-related courses to adults, students and apprentices.
You could work: evenings; flexibly
There will be
4.3% more Further education lecturer jobs in 2027.
In your local area
In this role you could:
You may also:
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
You could work in a sixth form college, an independent training centre, at a college or in a prison.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a further education (FE) teaching qualification at university, with a higher education institution or on a work-based training programme.
Qualifications include:
If you want to teach work-related courses in FE, like apprenticeships, you'll need experience and a technical qualification in your chosen subject, as well as your teaching qualification. This should be at level 3 standard (national diploma or equivalent) or higher.
To teach academic qualifications, such as A levels, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.
You'll usually need:
You can do a teaching qualification at college. Qualifications include:
You'll be expected to have experience and a qualification in the subject you want to teach.
You'll also need to organise some time for teaching practice, though training providers can often help with this.
You'll need:
You can complete a learning and skills teacher higher apprenticeship.
You'll need a qualification in the subject you want to teach. Employers will be looking for relevant up-to-date industry experience.
You'll also need to show ability in English, maths and IT.
You may be able to apply directly for job vacancies if you have several years' experience and qualifications in a trade, for example plumbing or hairdressing.
You can then train for a teaching qualification on the job, if you have your employer's support.
It will be useful to get experience of working with young people through paid work or volunteering at a school or college.
Do IT has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.
You can apply directly to work in further education if you have relevant experience, knowledge and skills in a technical or academic subject.
You can also teach some subjects in further education if you have a background in schools teaching and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).
You'll need to:
You can get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work, once you have a minimum of a level 5 teaching qualification.
You can find out more about careers in further education from teach in further education.
If you're interested in teaching in general, you can get information from Get Into Teaching.
You can find opportunities with further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult education centres, independent training providers and offender education schemes.
With experience, you can become a senior lecturer, head of department, education programme co-ordinator or move into management. You could also become a training assessor.
Another option is to work as an examiner or write textbooks and online education resources.