Why tradespeople consider teaching

The reasons people give us

• Passing skills on. Many people learned from a great mentor and want to do the same.
• A change of pace. College work usually follows term dates and predictable hours, though teaching has its own pressures.
• Less physical strain. Workshop teaching is practical, but often less demanding than full-time site or shop-floor work.
• Staying close to the trade. You keep using your expertise every day.

What to weigh up

• Pay may differ from what you earn now, higher or lower depending on your trade and the college.
• You may need to complete a teaching qualification once you are employed.
• Teaching includes planning, marking, paperwork and supporting learners with different needs.

See our salary guide and introduction to FE.