Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher

About the course

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.

Key Information

Location: Preston Campus

Course length: Three Years (156 weeks)

Available course dates: Please select the appropriate campus and start date to apply online.

Preston Campus
August 2025
Preston Campus
July 2026

Entry requirements & additional information

An applicant must have attained a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade A-C (9-4) including maths and English, or a vocational level 2, plus GCSE grade A-C (9-4) in both maths and English. N.B. English & maths Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSE�s. You also need a suitable Level 3 qualification, preferable in a subject in which you wish to develop a teaching career within. All potential Apprentices will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications. Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and Maths. However English and Maths will still be delivered as an embedded part of the apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 19+, the apprentice or their employer can still choose for the apprentice to study towards and achieve English and Maths qualification. 'The college advises learners to keep studying English and maths to enhance their career prospects and facilitate progression to higher-level qualifications'. The government will continue to fund those apprentices that wish to study towards an English and maths qualification. Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability.
Observation with Professional Dialogue, Professional Discussion (portfolio-based).
Progression to higher-level teaching roles or educational leadership.
All apprentices are required to have suitable employment in order to complete the programme. A contract of employment must be in place and apprentices must be paid in line with minimum wage rules. Programme costs are covered by employers through their digital apprenticeship service account.