What Does a Lecturer do? A Quick Guide for Tradespeople Exploring a Career in Education

If you’re a tradesperson or a senior construction worker seeking to leverage your skills in a new, rewarding vocation, have you considered Lecturing? You’ll teach the tools of your craft and ensure the future generation of workers learn the skills they need, whilst utilising your background in trade!

Whether you’ve worked in construction or carpentry, your industry experience could land you a job as a Lecturer. This is our guide to Lecturing and why it may be the perfect opportunity for you! From the responsibilities and requirements to the benefits; let’s get started:

What is a Lecturer?

A Lecturer is an educator who helps students develop their practical & theoretical knowledge and professional skills required to succeed in their chosen trade.

Instead of varied commutes, cold and wet days on site and physical labour, you’ll train students from the comfort of a classroom and in a structured environment.

Responsibilities of a Lecturer

Lecturers play an important part in shaping a student’s success in their future career. Some of the key responsibilities include:

- Delivering structured lessons to groups of students, focusing on the principles, methods, and theory behind your trade.

- Helping students’ complete coursework, assessments, and exams to achieve their qualifications.

- Preparing engaging and effective lesson plans that align with curriculum standards.

- Supporting students in their personal and professional growth, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need for their future careers.

With a wide range of responsibilities, this is a role that lets you use your professional expertise in a structured educational setting while making a direct impact on your students’ future.

Benefits of Becoming a Lecturer

If you take pride in your work and have a wealth of industry experience, this is your chance to ensure your trade is equipped for the future with passionate and well-trained individuals. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of students entering your field. Passing on your knowledge to people with a passion for the subject means you can still be connected to your industry.

Instead of moving between worksites or physically demanding tasks, you’ll be in a comfortable environment. Along with this comes scheduled and consistent hours, without chasing new jobs or working unexpected overtime. This stability makes it a great long-term career option.

Working for colleges brings the benefit of a teacher pension scheme (which can see employer contributions as high as 28.6%). Along with this comes substantial holiday time to match your students’ term time (around 37 days depending on the provider).

Requirements to Become a Lecturer

The qualifications and attributes needed can vary, but employers typically look for the following:

- At least two years of relevant industry experience. Your hands-on expertise prepares you to train students effectively.

- A qualification in your trade that is equivalent to or higher than what your students will be studying.

- GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English are often required.

- Certifications like the PGCE or Level 5 qualification in Education and Training beforehand may give you an advantage.

The best part? Your industry experience is highly valued, with many colleges and institutions offering training to help you achieve teaching qualifications while on the job.

How to Get Started

Making the leap into education doesn’t have to be daunting.

If you’re ready to explore Lecturer positions in your area, our consultants can help you through the process and find that dream role! With our expert understanding of the education sector and trade industry, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Call us on 0117 334 3777 and explore the fulfilling opportunities of a career in lecturing.