How to Become an FE public services lecturer

Both uniformed and non-uniformed public services jobs remain a popular choice for teenagers leaving education so courses at further education (FE) level remain very much in demand.

Public services lecturing offers an exciting and hugely varied choice of career opportunities and as such, lecturers in this field must be skilled at enabling their students to benefit from their knowledge and experience of working not just in education but also in industry.

The aim of the public services course at FE level is to prepare students for a career in the sector, be it for one of the emergency services, such as the police, fire service or paramedics, or for one of the armed services. Students also typically progress to jobs in areas such as HM prison service and the border force.

Many FE institutions have strong links with the uniformed public services in their area, with residential trips, visits, day trips, events and expeditions all par for the course, in addition to conventional classes and practical tasks.

How a career change can lead to a public services lecturer job

If you are currently considering a career change, then it could be well worth pivoting to a public services lecturer role in FE. You don’t need any previous experience of the FE sector to work within it as a teacher and experience in the public services would be a major plus to employers and is a common route to taking the role of FE public services lecturer.

As Jesse Jackson, public services lecturer at Loughborough College, states: “My army experience, my training role with young people at Pirbright and my leadership qualifications gained in the Army made specialising in public services teaching a natural progression.”

Qualifications to teach FE public services

The majority of candidates applying for FE public services jobs will be required to have completed a teaching qualification, such as a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). Previous FE teaching experience is the ideal situation as is a working knowledge of safeguarding (if not achieved, this can usually be offered as free online training).

As Jackson explains: “You’ll need English and maths grade 4 GCSE, plus a minimum level 4 in some form of teaching or management or be working towards it — I left the Army with levels 3 and 4 in leadership and management.”

Day in the life of an FE public service lecturer

Jackson stresses the importance of planning when it comes to being a successful public services lecturer. “I plan all the units on the level 2 study programme and their delivery, write reports on every student, contact parents, hold open events on how to apply, and maintain good behaviour among students,” he says.

“There is also considerable admin work to complete each week. My weekly teaching time of 21 hours is split equally between L2 and L3 in three-hour lesson chunks (with a break in the middle) over four days. The college has given me Fridays free to study for a one-year Loughborough degree in leadership and management to tie in with my army experience and career progression.”

When asked what personal qualities/skills are needed to become a public services lecturer, Jackson points to qualities he honed while in the army. Applicants must be “well organised, good at admin and technology, and highly self-motivated,” Jackson says. “There’s no need to be a people pleaser; just show a real desire to see others succeed.”

What salary can FE public services lecturers earn?

Salaries for the role public services lecturer range from £28,616 at the low end to £46,970 for the most experienced workers. The median salary comes in at £32,260 per year in the UK, according to Talent.com, which is more or less in line with the median annual pay for full-time employees (£33,000) for the tax year ending on April 5, 2022.

Any advice on being a newbie teacher?

“Delivering your first lesson can be a bit nerve-wracking,” says Jackson, before adding “but don’t be surprised at the joy of being with your students in class, seeing them engage and then develop over the year as you get to know their characters, needs and wants”.

You should be wary of being under-prepared he states but knowing the subject inside out is key to success in the public service lecturer role. Jackson explains that you should “avoid information overload — students can only take in so much — and adjust your language accordingly. Don’t be too rigid and do adopt a growth mindset”.