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Qualifications required to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector - further and adult education, sixth form colleges, and work-based learning
Source: Training to teach in the lifelong learning sector (244kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
There are specific qualifications if you want to teach in the lifelong learning sector. Teachers in this sector can work towards professional status - Qualified Teacher in Learning and Skills (QTLS) though there is not a requirement to do so. QTLS is not the same as the qualification/status required to teach in schools (Qualified Teacher Status QTS).
Teaching qualifications in this sector are generic rather than specific to a particular subject. However, if you are interested in teaching Skills for Life (literacy, numeracy and ESOL – English for speakers of other languages) there are also subject specialist qualifications - see section below.
What are generic teaching qualifications?
Teacher Training for this sector is currently under review, the new qualifications will be introduced from September 2013. Learners undertaking one of the qualifications currently on offer and teachers with existing teaching qualifications, will not be required to change their course or take the new qualifications.
For those wishing to enter into teaching there may be various routes available so advice should be sought from training providers (colleges and universities) and potential employers.
A teacher training course will help to develop the range of skills teachers require (in addition to knowledge of the subject) such as planning and delivery. Employers are likely to require a relevant qualification (or expect staff new to teaching to undertake a related course) to maintain the high quality and standards of teaching within their college or organisation.
The new qualifications will include a level 3 award, a level 4 certificate and a level 5 diploma.
Currently, the qualifications offered are:
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Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) Level 3 and Level 4 |
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Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) Level 3 and Level 4 |
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Professional Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) Level 5 and Certificate in Education or PGCE |
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) is the introductory award. It covers the basics of teaching in the sector. PTLLS courses are generally 30 hours long and are delivered as either a part-time course (usually one day/evening a week for 10 weeks) or as a short full-time course over a block of days. PTLLS may be a useful introduction to teaching if you are unsure about whether or not teaching is for you.
Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) is specifically for associate teachers. An associate teacher has fewer responsibilities than a college lecturer, but is expected to teach at an equally high standard. CTLLS is usually a one year part-time course, often over a half day or one evening a week. There is a requirement to have 30 hours teaching practice for this course.
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) is the full teaching qualification. Universities and colleges may refer to this course as a Cert Ed or PGCE. It can be taken over one year on a full-time basis or part-time over two years (usually over a half day or one evening a week). The part-time route is designed for those already working as a teacher, as there is a requirement for 150 hours teaching practice over the length of the course, this equates to at least 2.5 hours a week.
What if I’m not yet in teaching?
It is not necessary to hold a teaching qualification before you start working in the lifelong learning sector. If you are not already in teaching, you should decide what you want to teach and have or make sure you get appropriate experience in that field, along with at least a level 3 vocational qualification related to the subject you want to teach (or a degree level qualification if you want to teach an academic subject).
Do I need to gain full professional status?
Previously, teachers in this sector were required to be fully qualified and gain professional status within five years, gaining a PTLLS qualification in the first year of teaching unless starting CTLLS or DTLLS (PTLLS is the first module in both the CTLLS and DTLLS programmes).
From September 2013, it is likely to be the responsibility of the employer to determine what qualifications their teaching staff should hold/undertake.
The requirement for teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector to join the Institute for Learning (IfL) was removed in September 2012.
Teacher Training Provision for 2012/13 (386kb PDF)
Is there any funding?
You should contact the course provider regarding the course fees and any funding or concessions that may be available.
Fees for courses may vary. If you are:
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a new teacher taking a part-time in-service course, your employer may contribute to the cost of your training. |
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intending to do a full-time, pre-service course, you may be able to apply for student finance. |
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are a DTLLS student training to teach in a specified shortage subject area, you may also be eligible for a training bursary. Currently, the further education shortage subjects are mathematics, Skills for Life (literacy and numeracy), science, engineering and technology. |
For more information on funding, please also note the changes for courses starting from September 2013:
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Funding for FE teacher training courses 2012-2013 (206kb PDF) |
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Student finance for full-time students - 24+ Advanced Learning Loans |
What if I want to teach Skills for Life or work in learner support?
Currently raining and qualifications in Skills for Life learner support start at level 2 with the certificate in adult learning support. There are subject specialist qualifications in ESOL, literacy and numeracy at levels 3 and 5.
New qualifications will be introduced from September 2013. The current subject specific qualifications offered include:
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Level 2 Certificate Adult Learning Support - Literacy/Numeracy/ESOL |
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Level 3 Certificate in Adult Literacy/ Numeracy/ESOL Support |
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Level 3 Certificate in Adult Literacy/ Numeracy/ESOL Support |
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Level 5 Additional Diplomas in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector: Literacy/Numeracy/ESOL |
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CELTA Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults - an international TEFL training and certification programme |
Courses are part-time and, for level 3, you should be working/volunteering as a learning support assistant or be working as a specialist teacher providing support to learners in a lifelong learning environment (adult education or community setting).
To become a Skills for Life teacher you are likely to need both a teaching qualification and a higher level subject specialist qualification. Depending on your experience and qualifications, you could follow one of the routes listed below:
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An integrated subject specific programme - which will cover both full teaching and subject specific requirements |
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A generic Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) and a subject specific diploma |
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A subject specific diploma for teachers of literacy, numeracy or ESOL (for those already holding a generic teaching DTLLS qualification) |
For Level 2 and 3 Skills for Life subject specialist training provision, see p6 (other levels are listed within the main table) of Teacher Training Provision for 2012/13 (386kb PDF)
Useful links:
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FE Advice Information and Advice Service E: fe.advice@lsis.org.uk T: 0300 303 1877 |
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Excellence Gateway |
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Institute for Learning |
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Skills for Life Network |
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Jobs in Further Education |
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Guardian Education |
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Talent – training adult literacy, ESOL and numeracy teachers |
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NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education |
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Student Finance England T: 0845 300 5090 |
