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You don’t need teaching experience to teach in Further Education

We’ll train you to become a lecturer

At Weston College, many of our lecturers started their careers in industry - not in education.

If you have professional or technical experience and want to pass on your knowledge, we can support you to become a qualified teacher in Further Education.

OUR COMMITMENT

This could be you if…

  • You’ve built experience in industry and want a new challenge
  • You’re transitioning from the armed forces
  • You enjoy mentoring, coaching or supporting others
  • You want a career with purpose
  • You’re curious about teaching but don’t know where to start

You don’t need:

  • a teaching qualification
  • classroom experience
  • to “already know how education works”

We’ll help you learn that part.

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Why industry experience matters in FE

Your experience is the starting point

Further Education is about preparing people for real jobs, real industries and real careers.

That’s why industry experience is so valuable.

As a lecturer, you’ll:

  • bring real-world knowledge into the classroom
  • help learners understand how skills are used in practice
  • prepare students for the workplace, not just assessments
  • shape the next generation entering your industry
This is why we actively recruit people from industry, not just education.

How we train you to teach

How it works: from industry professional to lecturer

You’ll join us as a lecturer and train while you work.

We provide:

  • structured induction into teaching
  • mentoring and coaching
  • funded Initial Teacher Education qualifications
  • ongoing professional development

You’ll never be expected to “figure it out on your own”.

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Teaching qualifications explained

Your training pathway

You don’t need to choose this alone - we’ll guide you.

Before starting any qualification, you’ll have an Information & Guidance meeting with our Initial Teacher Education team to agree the right route for you.

Typical pathways include:

Level 3 Award in Education & Training

A supportive first-year option if you’re new to teaching or want to build confidence before starting a higher-level qualification.

Level 4 Certificate in Education & Training

A one-year qualification for those without a degree or new to higher-level study.

Level 5 Learning & Skills Teacher Apprenticeship

A two-year route towards QTLS, combining teaching with structured learning and mentoring.

Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Education

A two-year postgraduate route towards QTLS for those with a degree.

You don’t need to start at the lowest level - if you meet the requirements, you can begin at the level that’s right for you.

WHAT ABOUT ENGLISH AND MATHS?

All teachers are expected to hold, or be working towards, Level 2 English and Maths.

If you don’t yet have these qualifications, our expert teams at Weston College will support you to achieve them alongside your teaching role.

Support doesn’t stop once you qualify

Alongside your initial training, you’ll benefit from:

  • mentoring and coaching
  • teaching and learning development
  • subject-specific CPD
  • wider professional development opportunities

We support your growth throughout your career - not just at the start.

SPEAK TO OUR RECRUITMENT TEAM

If you would prefer to speak to someone directly for advice or support with an application, our team is happy to help.

Email: grouprecruitment@weston.ac.uk 

Phone: 01934 411441

We are here to support you.

Apply or find out more

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Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

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