Is Teaching in the Adult Sector Right for Me?

Teaching in the adult sector is a rewarding albeit challenging job. In the role, you’ll help adults learn the skills they need to excel in their education and career. 

Unlike teaching in primary and secondary schools, you don’t need a degree to become a further education teacher. All you’ll need is to have gained QTLS status and demonstrate that you have the right skills for the role. In this article, find out whether teaching in the adult sector is right for you. We’ll be looking at the responsibilities, salary and expectations of the role.

What exactly is teaching in the adult sector?

Teaching in the adult sector refers to teaching subjects to learners aged 16 and over, plus teaching work-related learning to students aged 14-16. This may also be referred to as further education teaching.

Adult learners may be studying to improve the professional skills or to further their education. Some may simply be learning for their own personal development. As a teacher, you’ll be focusing on a range of subjects in one of the following areas:

• Vocational training — Preparing learners for work and sharpening professional skills
• Academic training — Teaching subjects at GCSE and A-Level
• English and maths — Teaching basic skills in numeracy and literacy

Many further education teachers work part time or on a sessional basis. Full time positions are also available, though they are less common.

Where does further education teaching take place?

Further education can take place in a range of settings. These include:

• Sixth form colleges
• Universities
• Adult education centres
• Prisons and youth offender organisations
• Charities

What is the typical salary of a further education teacher?

Unqualified further education teachers can expect to earn between £19,758 to £23,325. Qualified further educations can expect to earn between £24,702 and £37,258. This is a great reason to invest in further education training. Not only will it make you a better candidate when applying for jobs, but you can also expect to fetch a higher salary. The increase in salary will generally offset the price of the courses, making it a wise financial decision in the long term.

What are the responsibilities of a further education teacher?

As a further education teacher, you’ll be responsible for helping adults gain the skills, education and qualifications they need to excel on their chosen path. Your day-to-day responsibilities may vary depending on the setting and area you are teaching in. However, general responsibilities will usually include the following:

• Planning and preparing lessons
• Teaching
• Researching and developing new topics and course materials
• Assessing students’ work
• Monitoring students’ progress
• Conducting one-on-one discussions and reviews
• Undertaking administrative tasks
• Setting and overseeing exams

Which qualifications are needed to teach in the adult education sector?

You’ll need QTLS status or equivalent to teach in the adult education sector. One of the main requirements for earning QTLS status is to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.

The Level 5 Diploma in Education is the most advanced RQF teaching qualification awarded by Training Qualifications UK, an OFQUAL regulated awarding organisation. The course is composed of seven units. These are:

UNIT NO: 1 — Developing teaching, learning and assessment in education and training

UNIT NO: 2 — Teaching, learning and assessment in education and training

UNIT NO: 3 — Theories, principles and models in education & training

UNIT NO: 4 — Wider professional practice and development in education and training

UNIT NO: 5 — Developing, using and organising resources in a specialist area

UNIT NO: 6 — Inclusive practice

UNIT NO: 7 — Teaching in a specialist area

You will also be required to log at least 100 hours of teaching practice in a real classroom and be observed eight times delivering teaching to adults in groups of at least 5 people.

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training can be on CTC Training’s online platform. Find your perfect course from our extensive range and begin your journey into your dream career. We provide online learning courses that can be completed at your own pace. Enrol on a course and you’ll gain access to our 24/7 student portal, where you can view course content and upload assessments at your leisure. 

Take a look at our teaching courses to begin your career into teaching in the adult sector. For more information about any of our courses, contact our team.