Further Education Career Paths
Do you enjoy working with young people and adult learners? If so, you may consider a career in Further Education (FE).
A career in FE can be genuinely rewarding and much more diverse than people think. My article explores the main pathways into and through FE.
I look at the kinds of work involved, the qualifications typically required, and the opportunities for career progression.
Pathways in FE: Teaching and Beyond
For many professionals, getting into Further Education starts with teaching. Teaching in FE is uniquely diverse. For instance, lecturers work in a wide range of settings, including general further education colleges, sixth form colleges, independent training providers, adult community learning centres and even offender learning environments.
A broad range of subjects is taught in FE, so alongside traditional academic disciplines, many teachers deliver vocational and practical skills as well as functional skills such as English and maths. Teaching roles extend beyond traditional classroom delivery. Lecturers may assess apprentices in the workplace, serve as internal verifiers, or design training programmes for employers rather than teaching in a conventional classroom.
Qualifications
Typically, there are standard requirements for teaching in FE. Most colleges require staff to have Level 2 English and maths, and those teaching academic subjects are usually expected to hold a degree in their field. In vocational areas, however, colleges often prioritise industry experience and a relevant Level 3 qualification over traditional academic credentials.
Many people from industries such as hairdressing, plumbing, construction, IT, gaming, hospitality or the creative sector frequently enter teaching later in their careers. Practical expertise is often so highly regarded that colleges will recruit professionals before they hold a formal teaching qualification and provide support to gain it on the job. Unlike schools, where the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is the dominant route, FE has its own specialised route into teaching.
Some new teachers begin with the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, progress to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, and may eventually complete the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills), widely recognised as the full professional qualification for FE teaching. Others enter via the Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship, which blends paid employment with structured professional training.
QTLS
Once qualified, many FE teachers pursue Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status through the Society for Education and Training (SET). Teachers receive this after finishing a Level 5 teaching qualification and completing professional formation, which involves demonstrating effective teaching practice and meeting professional standards. QTLS is recognised in England as equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing holders to be employed as qualified teachers in schools there.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, QTLS does not automatically have the same legal equivalence, although it is still valued as a professional teaching qualification and can certainly support employment within FE. In practice, some schools in England continue to prefer teachers with QTS or school-based training, but QTLS remains a well-regarded and significant professional credential within FE.
Leadership and Management
Teaching in FE can also open doors to management and leadership roles. Experienced lecturers may progress to roles such as Advanced Practitioner, Curriculum Lead or Head of Department before moving to senior leadership roles like Deputy Principal or Principal. These positions go beyond teaching, with leaders being responsible for curriculum design, staff development, quality assurance, budget management and strategic planning across the institution.
While leadership qualifications such as ILM programmes (which provide practical frameworks, tools and recognised credentials for managing teams and leading projects) or postgraduate study in education are not always essential, they offer valuable support for career progression and improve impact in leadership roles.
Many FE leaders build their skills through internal leadership programmes, practical projects and real-world experience rather than following a single formal qualification pathway. Although not universally required across the sector, professional statuses such as the Leadership Professional Status can enhance career development. At the same time, many management positions in FE are held by professionals without a teaching background, particularly in areas such as finance, human resources, estates, data and employer engagement.
Professional Services
Meanwhile, colleges rely on a wide range of non-teaching professional roles to operate effectively. These include admissions and recruitment teams, curriculum designers, quality assurance staff, careers advisers, employer engagement officers, and operational roles in finance and human resources.
Careers in these areas can be just as fulfilling as teaching and often require specialist qualifications, such as CIPD accreditation (qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) for HR professionals, or training in quality assurance and compliance. If you want to work in curriculum design, subject knowledge, teaching, or training qualifications, such as the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills), and practical experience are all valuable.
For non‑teaching roles, postgraduate study in Education, Curriculum Design, or Tertiary/Higher Education can also help strengthen your prospects.
Types of Providers
It is typical for FE professionals to move between different types of providers as their careers develop. For example, you might start teaching at a general FE college and then move to a sixth form, a land-based college specialising in rural studies, a specialist college for learners with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities), or an independent training provider.
In FE, short-term contracts, fractional posts and collaborative teaching arrangements are not unusual. This can make a career feel unpredictable at times, but it also gives you the chance to try different roles and build a wide range of experience. Making connections, both in person and online, is essential for finding opportunities and establishing a strong professional reputation.
In England, apprenticeships, along with T Levels, which prepare 16- to 19-year-olds for work, have created new opportunities in FE. Colleges now employ staff to support apprenticeships, oversee industry placements, engage with employers, and deliver vocational skills training alongside their lecturers.
Not every provider offers the same subjects, but many now deliver T Levels in areas such as Data Analytics, Education and Early Years, and Marketing. Professionals who bring real industry experience and strong links with employers are especially valued, as they help connect learning with the workplace. Careers in this part of the sector are often flexible, with people moving between teaching, project work, employer engagement and management as they build their skills and experience.
Stepping Stone to HE
For some professionals, a career in FE can also be a stepping stone into Higher Education. Many colleges deliver higher education qualifications such as HNCs (Higher National Certificates), HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) and foundation degrees, giving lecturers the chance to gain experience teaching at this level.
Some FE colleges now even offer courses that lead to full bachelor’s degrees, often in partnership with universities, providing a complete HE pathway from Level 4 to Level 6. Holding a Master’s degree can improve your prospects of moving into university lecturing or academic positions, although these roles are competitive and, for research-focused posts, often require a PhD in addition to strong subject knowledge and substantial teaching experience.
FE provides a valuable route to develop the skills and experience needed for teaching at higher levels, while still offering the breadth and variety of the FE sector.
Thriving in FE
Career progression in FE is closely linked to professional development and networking. If you are interested in working or progressing in FE, a strong LinkedIn presence can help you highlight your knowledge and increase your visibility to potential employers.
Participating in FE forums, professional communities and sector events will enable you to exchange ideas, learn about best practice and discover new opportunities.
To strengthen your CV and broaden your experience, you can also volunteer for curriculum projects, charity work or educational consultancy.
Ultimately, FE rewards adaptability, expertise and engagement, making it an attractive career choice.
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