How to acquire jobs in education

There are always opportunities to access jobs in education, whether in teaching, in administration, or training roles. Choosing which job to apply for, will depend on your career aspirations and qualifications. This is a brief overview of the different roles in education, and how you might go about acquiring a particular job.

Times Educational Supplement

If you are interested in teaching jobs in the UK, and you are a qualified teacher, then you should look in the TES (Times Educational Supplement). This is available, either online or as a newspaper.

ETEACH .com

You can also register with the online service ETEACH .com, which advertises nationwide educational vacancies.

Teacher Training Agency

If you are thinking of becoming a teacher, the TTA (Teacher Training Agency) will give you free advice, regarding an education career.

QTS and GTC

To teach in the compulsory sector, you will need to have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and be registered with the GTC (General Teaching Council) the professional body for teaching.

Within the compulsory sector, there are opportunities for supply teaching, and there are several agencies that specialise in education recruitment.

An online search for educational recruitment in your area will provide a wealth of information and opportunities.

Teaching assistant post

You may decide to opt for a teaching assistant post, by supporting a teacher in the classroom. This is a good way of getting experience in the classroom to decide if you want to progress to become a teacher.

If you are interested in post 16 college teaching in Further Education, or higher education, you would need a degree, supported with practical experience and specialist subject knowledge.

PTLLS

You will also be required to study for the PTLLS (Preparing To Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) qualification for all post 16 educational vacancies, although many recruiters will allow you to study for this, once you are in post.

There is also an increasing number of educational opportunities within distance learning, courses by correspondence and online that require part-time tutors. Check out the Open University website for vacancies.

Opportunities for vocational Trainers job, such as NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications) and City and Guilds are advertised by individual providers in both National and local press.

Local CONNEXIONS office

Young people interested in any aspect of education, as a career, can get advice from their local CONNEXIONS office. There are administrative jobs, within the education structure, such as school Bursar, or educational careers advisors, or you may even become involved with course development.

Becoming a school governor or a trustee of an educational establishment although unpaid, is an excellent way to gain experience of educational issues. These posts are advertised in local press, and local council web pages.