Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5

Overview of apprenticeship

This occupation is found in all parts of the Further Education and Skills Sector (FES), usually in settings where students are aged 16 and above (a small number of teachers may teach 14-16 year olds in alternative provision). Some FE colleges may also provide education to a small number of 14-16 year olds, subject to ESFA approval. Further Education, Learning and Skills Teachers will work in FE and sixth form colleges (whether general or specialist), independent training providers (ITPs), Adult Community Learning (ACL) providers or offender learning. Teaching can be delivered at a range of levels including essential skills generally up to Level 3 including, academic, vocational and technical education, some teachers may deliver subjects up to post-graduate level; it will also cover a broad range of both academic and technical subject/sector areas. Many Learning and Skills Teachers are dual professionals drawing on their technical and vocational as well as academic experience and qualifications to provide a high-quality learning experience to students in FE and Skills settings.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure that students in Further Education and Skills settings achieve the best possible knowledge, skills and behaviours. Learning and Skills Teachers do this by planning and delivering teaching that is current, comprehensive and challenging, and that inspires students to engage, progress and achieve their full potential.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other Teachers and FES professionals and students of different ages, abilities, backgrounds and ambitions. They may also interact with employers and stakeholders. Teachers who are specialists in a particular technical or vocational subject, sector or occupation will typically maintain close working relationships with others working in their industry/sector and keep their own knowledge and skills up to date.

An employee in this occupation is responsible for helping to prepare each of their Further Education learners for progression to/or within employment or to further study. To deliver this to a diverse group of students, including those with special educational needs, a Learning and Skills Teacher needs to be flexible, innovative, and adaptable, changing their behaviour and teaching style to suit the environment and level of their students. A Learning and Skills Teacher needs to have a sound understanding of pedagogy relevant to learners in Further Education and should regularly engage with robust evidence of effective teaching and learning methods and practice relevant to their subject area(s) within a Further Education and Skills setting. A Learning and Skills Teacher typically has significant autonomy and needs to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct and is accountable for their professional development. A Learning and Skills Teacher may be responsible for the managing of others, as well as managing budgets.

Delivery Plan and Assessment

All Apprentices must spend 20% of their time on programme completing Off-The-Job training, this includes workshops, project assignments, independent study, internal training, and any shadow shifts. Apprentices will be supported by 1:1 meetings in the workplace by their dedicated Programme Tutor. Additional learning resources and information will be made available online to ensure a fully blended learning experience. Apprentices may be required to attend sessions at a WSC location, or in their workplace.

Learners will be required to complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their learning.

Where will this course take me?

• Education practitioner
• Further Education learning and skills teacher
• Learning and skills practitioner
• Learning and skills teacher
• Lecturer
• Tutor

Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?

Your wage is decided by your employer however must meet the National Minimum Wage regulations https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates. 

Entry requirements

Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading). Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience.

An enhanced DBS is also required for work within Education. The application process is conducted by the employer before you start the role.

Apprentices without English and Maths at Level 2 must achieve these in line with the apprenticeship funding rules prior to taking their End Point Assessment.

Qualifications

On completion of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved:

• Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Standard.
• Skills for Success - This module is designed by West Suffolk College to ensure you have all the personal skills and behaviours to succeed in the workplace.
• Any required Functional Skills in English or maths.

How is this funded?

Learners

Apprentices are not required to contribute financially towards Apprenticeship training.

Employers

If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the training element of the apprenticeship course.  The total figure for the Apprenticeship is negotiated before enrolment and once confirmed will be taken in monthly payments from your account directly to us or paid to us via invoice should additional fees be required.

If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of under £3 million, the Government will fund 95% of the training fee meaning you will be required to contribute 5%.  You may be required to contribute additional fees which we will invoice the company for.  The additional fees will be made known and negotiated prior to the Apprentice enrolment.

There are additional incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old or 19-24 year old with an Education Health and Care Plan.

Contact us on 01284 716235 or apprenticeships@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk for further details of costs and how Apprenticeships are funded.

Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here

I'm interested. What should I do now?

You apply for an Apprenticeship in the same way you would apply for a job: find an apprenticeship vacancy, send in your CV or complete an application. We can help you with applications and give you interview advice. Please view the following page on our website to see our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.

Apprenticeship Vacancies: https://www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships/vacancies

Alternatively, you can look on the GOV.UK website to see what other Apprenticeships vacancies may be available: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

Employers - Please contact us to speak with a member of the Apprenticeship Team for more information and to organise a face-to-face visit.

Days & times

Please contact us for dates and further information