@RTC, Aldershot - Further Education Teacher Training Course

Further Education Teacher Training Course

The three Services have many people who do tours of duty as instructors at training establishments, gaining the professional knowledge and experience that can enable them to be employed as specialist FE teachers. Because many military courses in this area are vocational, Service men and women will often find that they have relevant technical knowledge, expertise, personal qualities and experience.

Professional skills and knowledge include:

- planning and organising

- communication skills

- problem-solving

- presentation skills

- determination and initiative

- thoroughness and attention to detail

- leadership and teamwork

- creativity

- assertiveness

- patience and understanding

- health and physical fitness

- scientific, mathematical or other subject knowledge

- technical expertise, especially information and communications technology (ICT)

- training and instruction skills.

During these tours some may be able to gain recognised qualifications like the Post-16 Certificate of Education (Cert Ed) or City & Guilds 7407 (Further & Adult Learning & Development Certificate) through open learning or evening classes. At college, such qualifications usually require a sequential approach and are tied in with the academic calendar. They are aimed primarily at FE and adult education, but could also be used in the commercial training industry.

Unlike schools, FE colleges (including sixth-form colleges), city technology colleges and prisons can employ whoever they like as teachers and lecturers, and they often teach subjects in which technical knowledge and experience may be more important than a formal teaching qualification. However, increasing numbers insist on FE lecturers holding formal qualifications, and some even look for graduate teaching certificates. One of the ways in which military people can acquire such qualifications and thus become ready for FE teaching appointments is to take the City & Guilds Certificate in Adult Learning 7407 Part 1.

The course is run at Tidworth College under the auspices of Salisbury College through arrangements made by the Resettlement Training Centre, and it enables Service leavers to obtain this industry-recognised academic certificate. Its aim is to equip Service leavers with sufficient knowledge to be able to undertake teaching roles in adult FE establishments and civilian training establishments, and to function with confidence in this environment.

The course is open to all Service personnel with a background in instructional teaching. All potential candidates must have completed a Service instructional techniques course and currently be performing a teaching and/or instructional role.

The course is two one-week blocks separated by a period of six weeks to allow students to plan and prepare for assignments. The purpose of the course is to enable them to plan, deliver and evaluate successful learning. The main topics are:

- the role of the teacher

- assessing learners’ needs

- lesson and course planning

- the process of teaching and learning

- learning resources

- communication

- assessment of learning

- evaluating teaching and learning.

Students are assessed on their ability to plan, deliver and evaluate 20 hours of learning sessions. This will include being observed twice teaching a group of eight or more students. Other assignments are:

- planning a scheme of work

- developing and using learning resources

- carrying out an observation of an experienced teacher

- delivering a micro-lesson (prepare and bring a lesson to deliver)

- writing reflective statements on what students have experienced and observed.

The NVQ assessor awards A1 and A2 will be discussed on the course to discover whether each candidate’s situation warrants undertaking these qualifications. An additional fee is payable if these extra qualifications are required.

This is a contract funded course, so no money is required for course fees, but the Individual Resettlement Training Costs grant reduces by 5 per cent (currently £26.70) for each day’s training. Any exam and associated fees are levied by awarding bodies, and currently amount to £200, payable to Salisbury College. Service leavers may be able to reclaim up to 80 per cent of these fees through Standard Learning Credits.

On successful completion of the course the qualification awarded will be the City & Guilds Certificate in Adult Learning & Development 7407 (Part 1). Further supervised teaching practice for up to 40 hours can lead to the City & Guilds 7407 Certificate Part 2 qualification.

For course details and administrative enquiries please call the RTC on 01252 348520/348637/348519 (Aldershot Military 3520/3637/3519)