The hardest part is over. You have applied, been invited to interview, and got the job. Well done! However, now you will be faced with a range of new challenges as you prepare to start your new job. Here are some questions to consider and find the answers to in the first few days of…>
Non-teaching jobs in Further Education
Here are a wide variety of academic, administrative and facilities support roles in the Further Education sector which don’t involve teaching but can be just as rewarding. From working in human resources to being a chef in a college kitchen, the FE sector offers an interesting working environment, flexible hours and great career progression. Administrative…>
5 Tips For Delivering Effective Revision Sessions
According to Tony Buzan, in his influential book first published in 1974, we should start revising straight after a ‘learning period’, as follows: After 1 hour learning, take a 10 minute break, then do a 10 minute review. After 24 hours do a 2-4 minute review. In a week do another 2 minute review. In…>
Teaching in Further Education: Working Conditions
A teaching career in the Further Education sector offers flexible hours, a generous holiday allowance and diverse working environments. Here we look at working conditions in FE you can expect to find as a teacher, lecturer or tutor. Working Hours Flexible working hours attract many teachers to FE, who find the job often fits around…>
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Further Education
What is CPD? For those teaching in Further Education, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important part of the role. CPD is the term used to describe the learning and training activities that professionals engage in to develop and enhance their teaching abilities. Effective CPD is fundamental to sustaining positive learning and continuous improvement of…>
5 Tips For Managing Workload
Working within the Further Education and Skills sector involves distinct challenges relating to managing workload which may not at first be evident when taking up a teaching post. Some of these include: Evening or weekend work Working off-site Irregular teaching hours Large amounts of marking coming in waves Frequent changes to curriculum and organisational structure…>
FE Teaching in a Non-College Environment
If you are considering a teaching career in Further Education you may be imagining yourself in a traditional role in a college classroom. However, post-16 education and training is a far more diverse sector than you may realise. In fact, FE involves all forms of adult and continuing education, offender learning and work-based training offered…>
Developing Employability within FE
7 ideas to prepare students to be work ready How well-prepared for employment did you feel when leaving education? The majority of courses within Further Education provide learners with vocational pathways, which means that learners expect to leave equipped to deal with at least the initial demands of the workplace. In addition to the specific…>
Using Technology In Teaching
It is no exaggeration to state that technology has revolutionised the way we learn and the way that we teach. In 2013 the Further Education Learning Technology Action Group (FELTAG) was established and its initial report, published in 2014 stated that ‘the pace of technological change is accelerating and the impact of digital technology will…>
5 Ways To Be A Great Mentor
What makes a good mentor? Is an effective mentor born or made? What values, attitudes, beliefs and qualities characterise the best mentors? Most of us have had at least one mentor during our lives, whether this is a formal arrangement or an informal relationship. Reflecting on my own experience of being mentored, I can now pinpoint several…>