CASE STUDIES
Hear from our talented staff who have already made the move from industry to teaching
They made the move from industry
Gary Clarke
Lecturer in Public Services
“I really enjoy being an inspiration to the students. When I did a presentation to them to say this is me and this is my background, the students were just like ‘wow!’. I’m due to start my CertEd which the college will be paying for and giving me one day a week off for day release. At the end of that year I’ll be a qualified teacher as well which is a massive positive.”
Mark Tempest
Lecturer in Construction
“The leap into further education wasn’t as daunting as I thought. I always had apprentices and enjoyed that relationship and developing them. When a learner completes a qualification as a result of my training and my input…that’s just fantastic!”
Peter Greaney
Lecturer in Hospitality and Catering
“I do what I do now because when I was 16 I had a chef who took me under their wing, told me exactly what was needed for the whole course, and industry-wise what was expected. I know what the industry is like, I’ve been doing it for 20 years, I’ve been teaching for 11 months, and I really like it.”
Claude Forbes
Pastoral Support Tutor
“I can give the students the benefit of my experience in industry, so now when they go into industry they have a better understanding of what is expected. Further Education is a very fulfilling profession, it is very rewarding and it gives you the sense that you have contributed back to society.”
Maria Sloane
Lecturer in English
“It is important for colleges to source teachers from industry, we have on the ground experience of what it’s like to work in an office environment and what it’s like to speak to different people at different levels. I know how relevant what I’m teaching is in the workplace. If I can make the move over, anyone can!”
Elliott Buckley
Lecturer in Motor Vehicle, Heavy Goods
“Bringing the industry knowledge into the college is paramount - you can't teach experience - in the sense of what we've gained as Engineers or Technicians over the years. I don't know why I didn't come into teaching earlier!”
Qasim Mansoor Khan
Business Curriculum Lead
“I've spent 35 years in industry - a lot of scenarios are based on our life experiences and when we bring that into the classroom it brings the subject to life. There’s so much you can give back, if you don’t try it you’ll never know! You might be pleasantly surprised about how rewarding it can be.”
Will Gleave
Lecturer in Engineering and IT
“Coming into teaching is completely the opposite to industry, but I really enjoy it. It’s such a valuable thing to bring to the classroom all the skills and knowledge you have from industry. I’m incredibly proud of the work and I absolutely love it!”
Beccy Monteith
Course Leader Foundation Degree in Children’s Development and Learning
“The students find it really interesting that I have experience of being in the industry and of working in children’s services and social care - I think that brought a different dimension to the programme for them. I feel proud of the students and the progress that they make - they leave different people, they leave feeling empowered.”
Aimee Knight
Childcare Course Leader
“I was really lucky to work in children’s centres, family liaison and children’s charities, and I learnt that I had a lot of skills and experience that I could offer to others. Learners are at an age where they are really thinking about their careers, and I felt that I could be a part of that journey. Teaching has been a fantastic experience for me and I’d really recommend it!”
Mike Mullen
Programme Leader in Construction
“I genuinely wouldn't be doing my learners the best service if I hadn't worked in industry. Seeing students progress is probably the biggest bonus you get - especially when you bump into them a few years down the line and they're grateful for the support you gave them.”
Stephen Payne
Programme Leader in Engineering
“It is important to have industry skills and to bring these skills into the educational element as it makes the courses more real. It also provides a real essential link in joining the theory side to the practicality of what we do.”
Nick Thomas
Plumbing Lecturer and Course Leader
“It is so important to have industry professionals within education who can share their experience, guide and get that reward from watching students develop and progress . The ability to contextualise real-life industry experiences into learning is the most powerful tool.”
Amanda Skinner
Maths Lecturer and TSA Coach
“Any advice I could give anyone thinking of joining education from industry is - to go for it! You don't need to have a teaching qualification; you can do that on the job and get all the support you need to deliver all the amazing expertise you have hidden away - so give it a go!”
Rob Mills
Health and Care Lecturer
“Vocational training is invaluable - anybody can teach a subject from a textbook, but we reflect on our own experiences and I think the students respond better to that. Further Education is a really exciting route to go down. It can be challenging but rewarding and I would thoroughly encourage anybody who's thinking about it to go and explore it.”
Graham Hill
Gas Centre Manager
“Industry experience is vital - you can teach everything, but if you've got no experience of doing that task it's pointless. It's great to see the young people being successful in the career they've chosen - that is the big drive.”