FAQs
Get the answers to your questions about becoming a trainer at your local college
Frequently Asked Questions
Making the move from your current role to teaching and training is a big decision. You will no doubt have a number of questions about the teaching, support, qualifications, benefits and more. Below we have put together some of the questions we are frequently asked by new trainers and teachers.
If you have any other questions that aren’t answered below and would like an informal chat get in touch with us.
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It’s best to get in touch with us to have an informal chat to see how this could work, but it could be possible.
We already have some staff who both teach at college and still work in the ‘industry’ role, so it’s something we’re very open to!
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There are so many benefits to being a college trainer.
Teacher pension
CPD and training opportunities
Generous holidays
Mainly working Monday - Friday
Part of a supportive teaching team
Giving back to the next generation
Job security
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All of the roles are pretty much the same in colleges. The major difference is that assessors are often working as part of an apprenticeship delivery team rather than with full time learners. Some colleges also have ‘tutors’ as supportive roles for learners to help them as they navigate college. The roles we’re keen to talk to people about will be teaching roles and could be referred to as teachers, trainers, lecturers or tutors.
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Depending on the role you’re interested in, you would be teaching in one of our partner colleges based across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Hampshire. The day to day teaching would be in workshops, training facilities, classrooms and industry standard training rooms.
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Don’t let this stop you from getting in touch. We will give you all the support you need to get you going in the classroom or workshop. If you want to train to be a teacher then we will work with you to get you through the qualification. One of our plumbing lecturers said: “I can’t believe how my writing improved, I got so much better, thanks to the coaching I got and now I have a teaching qualification of my own”
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Great to hear you’re interested! Drop us an email on info@shareyourskills.org.uk and we can have an informal chat about the opportunities available.
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You can send in your CV to info@shareyourskills.org.uk and we will share it with our partner colleges.
Alternatively, take a look at the vacancies page for each college listed below:
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Not at all! We are looking for passionate and experienced people from trades and industries who would like to teach. You will be part of a wider teaching team, will have support and mentoring from experienced trainers and will have the opportunity to take teaching qualifications as you teach.
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You will mostly be teaching 16 - 18 year olds, but there could also be adult learners (aged 19+) who are upskilling, reskilling or want to return to work.
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Each college specialises in different areas but we would be very interested in anyone from a construction background, plumbing, electrical and engineering. We also would love to hear from those working in Hairdressing, Hospitality, IT, Digital Media, Business and Finance and those who can teach core skills like English and Maths. However, we are open to hearing from anyone who has industry skills that can be used in teaching our courses.
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Don’t worry, you don’t need to have a teaching qualification to get started. Once you start your new role, you will be fully supported, and will have the opportunity to do a teaching qualification ‘on the job’.
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FE teaching is teaching in a further education college. This is vocational teaching, so you will be sharing your skills and knowledge with people who want to be a chef, builder, social care worker etc. There will be some classroom-based teaching, but the majority is hands-on learning in workshops and industry standard facilities.
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Teaching in a college is different to teaching in a school. You will be in workshops and industry standard facilities more than you would be in a classroom. You are also sharing your skills, knowledge and passion for your industry with the next generation…it’s exciting to watch it unfold!
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The answer is yes! We are open to hearing from people who want to work part-time alongside their current role. Get in touch to have a chat about the options available.
“I like working in a setting where there is no ceiling. You can progress, you can move sideways, you can diversify in so many different ways.”
Mark Tempest, Lecturer in Construction
