Do you need a teaching qualification?
In England there is currently no single legal requirement for FE teachers to hold a teaching qualification before they start. Many colleges recruit staff on the strength of their industry qualifications and experience and then ask them to work towards a teaching qualification once in post.
Expectations are set by each employer, so one college may require a qualification within an agreed period while another may not. Always check the job description and ask at interview what is expected and what support is offered.
Types of roles
Common roles include lecturer, instructor or demonstrator, workshop technician, apprenticeship assessor or skills coach, and end-point assessment preparation. Apprenticeship roles often involve visiting learners at their workplace as well as college-based work.
Training support
Government support for FE teacher training in England, such as bursaries or grants, changes over time and applies only to certain subjects and routes. We only publish funding details after checking them against official sources. See our funding information hub for anything we have verified.
Background checks
Roles working with young people or vulnerable adults in England normally require an enhanced DBS check, which the employer arranges.
Questions
Can I teach in an English FE college without a degree?
Often, yes. Many technical roles value industry qualifications and experience over a degree. Requirements vary by college and role, so check each job description.
Is pay the same at every college in England?
No. FE colleges in England set their own pay scales, so salaries for similar roles can differ between colleges and regions.