Working as a plumbing lecture

[townfanjon]

Interesting from @Tea-Break , when I was at plumbing school , ok a lot of years ago we had two lecturers that I am 100% sure had no teaching quals in-fact one was still running a business. As far as I can remember they were only part time but I cant see how that would make any difference.

 

[Stigster]

(Long Post Alert!)

I am in a position where I am being asked to step up from my job as Plumbing Workshop Technician to plumbing lecturer. One of our two full-time lecturers is now on a phased retirement plan and they've got me in their sights to replace him. The thing is I do not want it!

Firstly it is true one can start without any teaching qualifications but they will want me to do a Certificate in Education which is no mean feat with a heck of a lot of self study in my own time. Before doing that you will need to do a Level 3 Award in Education and Training and also Level 3 in Training and Quality Assurance (TAQA 3). I already have my Level 3 Award in T & E so I can perform sickness cover and also teach the schools links program. I am happy at that level as far as teaching goes. I am also now part way through my TAQA 3 but I am doing this voluntarily just so I can help out with assessment in the workshops and take some pressure off the lecturers who treat me very well so I'm happy to help.

The money goes up if I become a lecturer and so do the holidays but the thing is my pay increase would be "only" another 5 grand a year and that's not enough for me to abandon my Technician's role which I love and would not be able to go back to as it is a highly sought after position here and it would be quickly filled behind me. The holidays are much better for teaching staff but again, I'm already on 26 days paid leave per annum which is enough for me. Second to that, I also am on the tools for the Estates Management team during workshop downtime and academic holidays which I do enjoy as a change of pace and type of work and that would end if I became a lecturer.

Finally, I have spent the last seven years listening to the lecturers complain about workload, scrutiny, meetings, problem students, constant performance monitoring and management. That has put me right off. I see what they have to do and don't want it!

I know this post has been specific to my position but hope it is useful to read about it from a perspective right on the edge of a teaching role. A role I do not want for the extra hassle involved. We are fortunate here that wages are high (high cost of living though) and the Technicians at this trade school are paid at the "going rate" for a qualified plumber working for a company on this island. They want qualified plumber as Technicians and not just storemen so they pay the going rate. It all looks like too much hassle when I am already very happy doing what I do.

Of course, your experience and personality will be different but it's not for me and I hope I've given good reason why.

Sorry to ramble for so long!

 

[Dan]

That's not that long.

Well done.

 

[Tea-Break]

The Teaching Qualifications is mandatory now (OFSTED requirement),
although you can teach while training.
On the other hand the actual trade qualification requirements have dropped. From Level 3 (Advanced Craft) to Level 2 (Craft)..!!
The average salary is 30k.
F.E. Colleges are no longer run by local authorities, they are now businesses having to prove they qualify for government funding.
This involves complex criteria, hence as in any business they are trying
to cut costs and maximise efficiency. This has and will impact on pay and conditions for staff.
Unfortunately, as the older generation of staff retire then the past standards and expectations retire with them.
I am not politically minded. However, I do believe Healthcare and Education. Should not be run for profit.

 

[Matt0029]

ived heard pay is bad and most still plumb in there spare time, i know a few quite after a few months to go back on the tools

The pay said 24k to 32K. Would depend on what side of the scale that was on.

 

[Brambles]

I am not one, but teaching is a passion and if you don’t have that passion, it is probably not for you.

From my perspective, the educational qualifications now required to teach / assess a subject are not insignificant and are generally at a higher level that the trade qualification required. In essence, an understanding and knowledge of eduction practice is valued more highly than the trade skills you are teaching. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on that.

Assuming that you want to teach, you must be able to pass an enhanced DBS check to teach under 18’s and most establishments for over 18’s will undertake one.

If you cannot clear the above there is ( in my view) very little point in progressing qualifications.

The basic qualification is a TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Vocational Achievement. In essence that is essay style answers to a number of questions on assessment process and then taking two learners through a basic assessment. If you put your mind and energy to it, it will take a month of intensive input.

The next qualification ( required for State funded colleges and schools) is a Certificate in Education ( Level 4). This is a 1 year full time or 2 year year part time course. I have not done it ( unlike the above) so cannot comment on the intensity of study required.

However, none of the above have any plumbing / heating / gas knowledge requirement it is all about delivering written assignments on assessment, learning and teaching methods. That can be a very alien experience for people who’s interest is in the practical aspect of transferring skills to learners.

Hope this helps - from my perspective it is a passion. The financial rewards don’t really reflect the personal commitment that the prospective teacher has to put in to be fully qualified.

Having said that, if you have the passion go for it. If you don’t want the hassle of studying for further qualifications consider being a Mentor - all the fun and none of the hassle.

 

[Tea-Break]

Brambles, this is a very good evaluation of the requirements for teaching trade qualifications.
You are also correct in needing a passion and patience : )

 

[chris watkins]

My teacher training at a local FE college (where I was teaching at the time) was a joke, for one it was taught by people who couldn't teach & second, It seemed to me that the theory of teaching keeps changing as one method is tried & then rejected, another comes into vogue, & so in rolls on.
The fact is teaching people is simple enough if as Brambles states you have a Passion for both the subject & passing on that (your) knowledge to others, of course like anything else the skills need to be homed but I learnt more in a one day new teachers survival session than I did in two years of sage 1&2 as it was then.
It is very rewarding mind, to see young apprentices grow & flourish to become very talented trades persons, often running their own companies, & in some small way you played your part is a great feeling.
The problem is good teaching by qualified & very experienced trades people is just not allowed in FE colleges any more. There are just a hand full of colleges left who have managed to keep hold of an experience teacher & provide quality training but the vast amount are no fit for purpose.

 

[Matt0029]

Why is this teaching not allowed in FE colleges now?

 

[Deleted member 32524]

I would say that it sounds ok. Something maybe once the body really starts to suffer being on the tools. Pay sounds ok. All the guys at college I go to for resits are all ex GS plumbers who got tired of the stress of this job. They do look bored though and probably have pressure on them that I don't see.