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Further Education (FE) tutor
Also known as -
Further Education lecturer, Further Education instructor
Further Education (FE) tutors teach students and apprentices over the age of 16. They develop students’ practical and theoretical understanding of a wide variety of courses and train them for careers in construction or engineering.
Average salary*
£19000
-£50000
Typical hours per week
35-37
How to become a Further Education (FE) tutor
There are several routes to becoming an FE tutor. You could do a university or college course, an apprenticeship, or apply directly to an employer for work.
You should explore these routes to becoming an FE tutor, to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.
You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.
University
To teach academic qualifications such as A levels (or equivalent), you may need a degree in a relevant subject.
You can gain qualifications to become an FE tutor by studying at university. You could complete a Certificate in Education, or a postgraduate diploma or Certificate in Education or lifelong learning.
In addition to a teaching qualification, you will need experience and technical qualifications to become a tutor on a work-related course or apprenticeship scheme.
Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.
College/training provider
To become an FE tutor and teach vocational, construction-related subjects, you will need to have previous experience working within the industry. Once you have practical experience, you could apply to a college or training provider to become an FE tutor. Your employer will ask you to complete a Certificate in Education (or equivalent qualification) on the job, within a certain time frame after you start teaching.
Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.
Apprenticeship
You could complete a higher apprenticeship with a college or training provider to become an FE tutor. You’ll need to have recent experience of working in the construction industry and previous training or qualifications in the subject you aim to teach.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.
Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.
Work
If you have several years’ experience and qualifications in an area of construction, you could apply directly to an employer, or complete teaching qualifications on-the-job.
Work experience
Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry and going on to become an FE tutor. You could gain this by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works in the industry. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.
Skills
Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as an FE tutor include:
- Prior experience in an area of construction, i.e. joinery, plumbing or electrical installation
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of teaching
- Sensitivity and understanding
- Working well with others.
Qualifications
To become a Further Education (FE) Tutor, you could complete a:
- NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
- Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners
- Level 5 higher apprenticeship in Learning and Skills Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training
- To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.
To become a Further Education (FE) Tutor, you could complete a:
- Level 8 Diploma in Education and Training
- Level 8 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners
- Level 8 higher apprenticeship in Learning and Skills Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training
- To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.
To become a Further Education (FE) Tutor, you could complete a:
- NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
- Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners
- Level 5 higher apprenticeship in Learning and Skills Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training
- To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.
What does a Further Education (FE) tutor do?
- Based in colleges, community centres, work-based learning centres, the armed forces or prisons.
- Plan and prepare lessons, lectures and seminars
- Carry out administrative tasks such as monitoring and assessing students.
- May teach full-time, part-time (day or evening) or day release courses.
- Setting and marking assessments
- Developing new courses and teaching materials
- Keeping records and other administrative tasks
- Going to meetings, professional development courses and workshops
- Interviewing prospective students
- Acting as a personal tutor - supporting students and helping with problems
- Supervising more junior members of staff
- Being actively involved in regulatory inspections and external assessments
What's it like to be a Further Education (FE) tutor?
Steve Howard
Steve Howard is a senior instructor for CITB at the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in London.
How much can you earn as a Further Education (FE) tutor?
The expected salary for an FE tutor varies as you become more experienced.
- Newly trained FE tutors can earn £19,000 - £25,000
- Trained FE tutors with some experience can earn £25,000 - £30,000
- Senior FE tutors can earn £30,000 - £50,000.*
Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.
* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources
Find an apprenticeship/job
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Jobs
Check out the latest FE tutor vacancies:
As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.
Career path and progression
As an FE tutor, you could work in further education or sixth form colleges, adult education or independent training centres.
With experience as an instructor, you could progress to a role as a senior lecturer, head of department, or move into senior management.
You could become an assessor or an examiner, or develop textbooks and online educational resources.
Steve Howard
Steve Howard is a senior instructor for CITB at the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in London.
I first worked in the construction industry for a number of years as a plant operator. I then decided to join CITB as a plant instructor so I could pass my experience and knowledge onto others starting out in the industry.
What do you like about your job?
I like being able to help those starting out in the construction industry and help people change their lives.
What’s your working day like?
I instruct candidates on sprayed concrete lining machines. This includes people doing 5 day courses, 18 month apprenticeships, concrete pump courses and gantry crane courses. As my role is now senior, I help in running the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) .
What skills have you developed since you started?
When I first started I didn’t have any qualifications, but now I have lots of NVQs and other qualifications to help back up my profession as an instructor.
A bit of advice for anyone thinking about a career in construction?
It’s a good industry to be in and there are plenty of avenues to go down to find the right career for you. I would encourage people to consider construction as a career choice.
Matthew Willars is a Bricklaying Course Manager with Bedford College
What do you do?
I teach bricklaying full time as well as managing the bricklaying courses overall. The role is both ‘hands on’ and managerial. It involves working with the qualifications awarding body, for example. I also work directly with the students, helping them with day to day problems and managing their expectations.
How did you get started?
I started out as an apprentice bricklayer. I then worked in the construction industry for 20 years, in Europe as well as London and more locally. I also ran my own business. I then moved into college lecturing. I have worked at Bedford College for four years. Before that I was a bricklaying tutor at another college. I moved here to progress and develop my career. My bricklaying course manager role provided an opportunity to combine teaching with a managerial role.
What do you like about your job?
I am passionate about the craft of bricklaying so to be able to train students to industry standards is a real privilege. I also like being in a position where I’m setting an example to the students who are the future of the construction industry. The teaching aspect of my role is straightforward but you always have to be on your toes to deal effectively with students’ problems.
What skills do you need?
You need to have a specialist craft, in my case brickwork, and direct experience within the construction industry. Assessor, verification and teaching qualifications are also important. To work with both students and colleagues effectively, strong communication and listening skills are necessary.
Career highs?
As a lecturer it is very rewarding to see students develop and grow as a result of your teaching, and them acknowledging that your experience is helping them with their career. As a bricklayer I’m particularly proud of the design and build I did of a technically difficult frontispiece. It was appreciated and led to further work.
Where next for your career?
I am looking to study for a master’s degree in conservation and I want to develop my skills in heritage brickwork.
Any advice about joining the construction industry?
The construction industry is very rewarding and diverse. It can be physically demanding as well as mentally challenging but every day is different. It can also pay well after training and there are many opportunities to move up pay levels as your career develops.