Lecturer - Further Education

Also known as:

College Lecturer
Further Education College Lecturer
Teacher - Further Education College
FE Lecturer

Introduction

Lecturers in further education teach academic or vocational subjects to students, most of whom are over the age of 16. The work involves preparing lectures and practical sessions, assessing and reporting on the progress of individual students, setting and marking tests and carrying out assessments.

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Work Activities

Further education (FE) lecturers teach one or more related academic or vocational subjects. Most students are over the age of 16 and they are of mixed abilities. They may be studying full-time, part-time; they may be on day release from work, on a government training programme or taking an evening course.

Duties include:
• planning and designing courses
• preparing and delivering lectures and demonstrations
• giving additional support to students who need it
• assessing and reporting on the progress of each student
• setting and marking tests or similar exercises.

Lecturers may also be involved in organising work experience for their students. Lecturers may use audio-visual materials and computers to stimulate interest and learning, and to produce course materials.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a lecturer, you will need to be self-motivated and able to motivate others. You will also need good communication skills, and organisational and time management abilities to cope with your teaching commitments and administrative tasks.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for further education (FE) lecturers vary depending on the college they work in.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Lecturers in further education earn in the range of £20,000 - £35,000 a year, and higher rates are possible, depending on role and responsibilities.

Full-time lecturers usually work a 35 hour week, with around 22.5 hours spent teaching, from Monday to Friday. However, it is not unusual for lecturers to work extra hours at home, marking students' work and preparing lessons.

Most FE lecturers are employed in FE colleges but there are other posts in community learning centres, adult education centres, private colleges, the prison service, the Armed Forces, and in industry.

Competition for posts can be intense. Many FE lecturers work part-time (during the day or sometimes in the evening) and on short-term contracts, especially at the start of their career.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Entrants with experience and relevant academic or professional qualifications have an advantage.

You could be able to enter further education colleges as a lecturer if you have substantial relevant work experience in a vocational sector, for example, secretarial or engineering work.

All new lecturers also need a teaching qualification.

Non-graduates teaching vocational subjects can work towards a PDA in Further Education Teaching. Graduates can work towards a TQFE. These qualifications may be studied full-time, or part-time if you are already in relevant paid or voluntary employment.

• 2% of further education lecturers are self-employed.
• 38% work part-time.
• 4% have flexible hours.
• 13% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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