Anyone a Functional Skills Tutor?

[margerybruce]

Hello All

looking for ways to use my PGCE in FE and finding that I seem to be too old or something to even get interviews now as a Tutor of my main (science) subject, I was wondering about switching to teaching literacy and numeracy. There seem to be more jobs for these subjects now.

The guidance is very confusing though - do I need to get Diplomas in these subjects ie literacy and numeracy to teach them? And if so, do I need these at Level 4 or Level 5?

I have a science degree.

Thank you!

I'm a Functional Skills tutor with a Level 4 diploma in literacy. I believe that you now need a Level 5. Hope that's helpful.

Ah thank you! What other qualifications do you have? How did you get into it in the first place? It all seems very complicated.

I studied for a PGCE in further education but this isn't necessary if you already have a PGCE. I was working in specialist education and applied to work in my local FE college.

Colleges are usually crying out for FS lecturers (especially maths). You can work while studying for your Level 5. Google the Skills Network and join - they send out details of jobs

Thank you

I have just been told by someone at one of the miriad organisations who seem to deal with this that I don't need anything else!

It seems to be totally chaotic!

Anyway will do as you say and see what transpires

I teach gCse psych at adult ed and was wondering about some of the basic maths/english but no idea how to look at a syllabus. I have AS maths but only gcse english. I've got a philosophy and psych degree.

I was told this morning that you have to have a qualification one above what you are teaching for FS. So FS are at Level 1-2 you need a qual at Level 3.

But different providers interpret this differently so my science degree may be enough to teach the maths.

I am now calling the Skills Network to ask them. All these organisations' websites are impossible to navigate.

OK so Skills Network no idea what I was talking about.

They recruit tutors for home learning and do not recruit FS tutors.

No wonder there is a dire need for these tutors -there is nowhere on earth you can get advice on this!

have you spoken to your local adult education centre? I get the impression mine would be quite free with what they let me teach now I'm in their fold. it might b worth asking directly?

No thats a good idea though.

This job was from an agency and is a bit specialised - I have finally been able to get a number for the actual employer so I have left a message on their answer phone to ask exactly what they are looking for.

It all seemd to be total chaos.

That sounds about right... they've had so much of their funding cut.

I got into the sector before the cuts - it sounds like there isn't the support and guidance that there used to be. The Institute for Learning is our professional body - maybe try them...

Just realised that I gave you the wrong name - it's the Skills for Life network

Access to health or social care level 3? Hi I've just got onto a level 2 health and social care and have been told level 3 can get you into uni to do nursing. Has anyone taken this route to uni? Or would the access course be a better option? Just thought as I'm doing health and social level 2 it makes sense to do level 3 next yr and apply for uni?

Where abouts are you op?

Live in birmingham

Naz you may be better starting your own thread with that question.

I have discovered that there is such a thing as a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Maths and also one in teaching Literacy.

These are what are required now for teaching of FS and similar.

I recruit in the adult ed sector, for me you'd need the level five diploma specialising in the subject you want to teach in.