Teach engineering and manufacturing
Help learners engineer a future with precision and innovation by becoming a further education teacher in engineering and manufacturing. Teaching in Further Education (FE) is a great way to pass on your real-world industry skills to the next generation of workers and ensure a strong workforce for tomorrow.
Why teach engineering and manufacturing?
Teaching engineering and manufacturing courses within FE is far from a traditional classroom experience. Colleges are looking for teachers with industry experience in engineering and manufacturing that can teach students the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their future careers.
You could teach in workshops or on-site locations, helping your learners to develop the hands-on, practical skills you’ve gained within your sector.
Whether that’s in engineering or manufacturing operations or machine design and development or other related areas.
You could even teach courses in specialist topics such as robotics and automation or welding and fabrication, as well as more general skills such as health and safety in the workplace. Some of the courses you could teach include:
- Mechanics
- Vehicle maintenance
- Electrical or structural engineering
- Wood machining
- Manufacturing technologies
Typical contracts for a teaching role will be around 35 hours a week. Part time or flexible contracts are also available, so you can continue to work in the industry you love while sharing your skills in FE.
How can I start teaching?
To start teaching in engineering and manufacturing in FE you will need a minimum of two years’ experience of working in the industry.
Colleges are interested in the real world skills and knowledge you have learned that can be shared with students.
Once you have industry experience you can start applying for teaching jobs in engineering and manufacturing.
“The real-world expertise I have gained working in the engineering industry has informed my approach to teaching in FE and enables me to pass on my knowledge and inspire future talent through sharing my own experiences.”
Rosa, engineering teacher
Train on the job
With the option to train to become a qualified FE teacher on the job, you can teach while you earn, meaning you don’t have to put your career on hold. Plus, teacher training is often funded by your employer.
- Some colleges will offer you the option to undertake an apprenticeship or teaching qualification alongside working in a teaching job.
- Colleges may offer this training route as a way to find a candidate with the right industry experience but who doesn’t yet have any formal teacher training.
- Usually, you are expected to complete the qualification within 2 years of accepting the job. Most colleges want their teachers to be trained to Level 5 or above and they can support you in finding out which qualification or route you should take.
- Colleges will explain in their job descriptions if this option is available, but it can be worth asking them directly if its not clear.
Search for jobs teaching engineering and manufacturing in Further Education
Find a teaching job near you
Get up to £6000 when you start teaching in a Further Education college
When you start teaching an eligible course in an FE college, you could get an extra payment of up to £6000.
You can claim your payment if you are within the first 5 years of your FE teaching career.
Eligible subjects are:
- building and construction
- computing, including digital and ICT
- engineering and manufacturing, including transport
- engineering and electronics
- early years courses leading to a full and relevant qualification to work in an early years setting
- maths, physics and chemistry