Painting a picture of life in FE from a decorating teacher
Peter Face is a painting and decorating further education (FE) teacher at Craven College in Yorkshire.
Pete met the team at Craven College while working in industry, when he took on apprentices from their courses.
For several years he turned down teaching opportunities with them, in part because he has dyslexia, and thought this would hold him back.
He has now been a FE teacher for almost three years, and wishes he had done it earlier.
He studied for a teacher training degree at Huddersfield University alongside his FE teaching job, and has said that receiving his degree was one of his proudest moments.
How did you start out within the Construction Industry, was this the career path you had always wanted to take?
When I was at school my best mate’s dad ran a painting and decorating company. During the school holidays, we worked for his dad supporting him with snagging lists which is where you inspect new build properties to find issues.
When I left school, my mum said, "get yourself a trade and you can do what you like after that, you will always have something to fall back on". As I had the experience working for my friend’s dad, I naturally gravitated towards painting. I completed my training and started working as a sub-contractor alongside private work. I started my own business and apart from a few years out when I was a firefighter, I have been in the painting and decorating industry all my working life.
What have you learnt through the years about the industry as a whole?
I have no doubt that if you are prepared to put the work in and you pride yourself in delivering good quality work, you can have a great career in the industry and make a good living. With the advancement of tools, techniques, and the quality of materials, it is a lot easier than it used to be. However, there is still a lot of skill involved in producing good quality work and working to the best of your ability is key to building a successful career.
What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
One of the main reasons I have been self-employed most of my life is because I am dyslexic. However, over the years, my confidence in my own ability has grown and I have run several of my own businesses. This often involves handling a lot of paperwork, but I have developed coping strategies to overcome my difficulties. For instance, I always work on a computer with spell and grammar check.
What made you take the leap into teaching in Further Education?
I had been running a painting and decorating company since 2009 in the Yorkshire Dales, employing 9 decorators. I also took on apprentices from the local FE college. During that time, I felt that it was time for a change of direction.
Having recently lost both my mum and dad to cancer, it changed my perspective, and I decided I wanted to find a role with a better work-life balance. My son was my last apprentice and he had just qualified, so felt it was a good time to take the leap into something new. I had gotten to know the Apprentice Coordinator at the local FE college well and they thought I would make a great FE teacher given my industry experience and invited me to look around the college.
It took me 5 years to overcome the doubts and concerns I had about my dyslexia holding me back before I agreed to go. In that time, I began to realise that my talents and insights, honed over years in the industry, were far more valuable than I had initially realised. The encouragement and support I received from colleagues and mentors played a crucial role in helping me recognise the significant contribution I could make to the FE sector.
Although I used to run youth clubs and had experience working with young people, I wasn't sure if I would make a good FE teacher. Nevertheless, I decided to look around the college and I found the idea of teaching appealing, particularly because it seemed like a way to directly influence and shape the learning journeys of aspiring individuals in the field. I began teaching one afternoon a week on a Wednesday for a basic level one course. I enjoyed it and decided to take on a part time role. I’ve since decided to close my business and give all my outstanding work to my decorators and my son, who took over as the sole trader. Since January 2021, I have been teaching in FE full time. I had a five-year plan to become a teacher, but it happened much sooner. I haven't looked back and wish I had done it earlier.
How did you find it studying to be a teacher alongside your FE teaching job?
The teaching course I did was an ‘in service’ programme, so I was only required to attend the university one Saturday a month for lectures. The rest of the work I completed at home and the tutors came into the college to observe my classes. I found completing the course part time alongside the job manageable. You must be organised, but I was able to complete the course and get a student loan to pay for the course fees.
What opportunities are available to teach in FE alongside work?
When I first started, I only worked one afternoon a week, so I still worked in my business the rest of the time. I really enjoyed it so decided to take on a full-time role.
What's interesting about the FE sector is that you don't always need prior teaching qualifications or an academic degree to start teaching. Many professionals in the field began with a passion for their industry and a desire to share their knowledge. You can then complete your teacher training on the job. Part time and flexible contracts are a great opportunity for people who still want to work in industry, and it gives you the opportunity to see if teaching is for you, without committing yourself to a full-time position.
How do you think construction industry professionals can play a role in preparing the next talent?
Industry professionals are best placed to pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation. You can have lots of certificates, but nothing can replace real life experience and knowledge of working in the construction industry. FE teachers who work in industry alongside their teaching are known as dual professionals - we can continue to work in industry whilst we share our skills with others.
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