Retraining for DH to become a film & media teacher/lecturer

[MooandPops]

Hi there

We need some advice. My DH works in telly and its been increasingly hard to find work. I have my own business which is being bled dry by topping up the family income pot - I have no problem with this apart from the fact that I have nothing to reinvest into my work - disaster.

The answer is for DH to become a film and media tutor which he would be brilliant at. Hes not keen to teach children though - (I can understand it) preferring to teach adults. He is going to do his PTLLS course (adult learning course) in January but it seems such a long long way away until he can be trained and earning - assuming he can find a job..

Does anyone have any advice - I feel like we are slowly sinking...

My background is the TV & film business and I started as a teaching assistant in film / media before moving into the commercial sector - I don't know how worthwhile my opinion / advice is but that's to give you some context.

What does he do? Is he London based? Can he move into advertising / film / digital content / post-production / dvd bonus features / training programmes?

I would say it is even harder to get media / film teaching jobs unless he is very technically based with very strong production / post-production skills or he is a major name with a strong track record. Competition for teaching posts would be as strong as TV work if not stronger and not as well paid.

I'm not trying to put you off but I think it needs to be borne in mind - especially during these lean years of higher education budget cuts. Has he tried going to adult education / film appreciation courses to try and see if he can get work or work experience there? He needs to ally himself with as many trade and educational partners as possible and get work (some unpaid - just like starting out again) while he is retraining? If he is brilliant and I'm sure he is , he will get work.

I would try for the commercial sector though - online content for brands is growth business and also to be as flexible as possible.

Absolutely no idea if this helps but good luck. I too am trying to build a new career using my existing skills and know how hard it is.

Hi there

Thank you so much for your thoughts - its so hard isn't it?!

Your absolutely right on many levels. He has just got a job teaching photography on an adult evening course - a start for us all. Alongside this he will study for his PTLLS course and then who knows? I hear you about the amount of positions available and think that the actual teaching experience has to be gained alongside training and totally off your own back.

'Can he move into advertising / film / digital content / post-production / dvd bonus features / training programmes?' Absolutly yes but he can't find enough work to keep us going, he has his website and is utterly brilliant at 'creative services' advertising speak/campaigns with many years of experience behind him - but where to find the work? He has contacted many many people and had a great reception and then no follow up...hard.

The very very best of luck in your career change - if the thoughts and advice you have given us are anything to go by - you will do very well.

Happy New Year too xx

I know nothing about HE, but if he wanted to get into teaching in FE, he could try to get a job - or at least some casual hours - before embarking on the PTLLS. FE colleges very often take on unqualified people from industry who are willing to qualify (although now isn't the best time of year, really - end of summer term and throughout autumn term are better).

Has he tried teaching? He should really give it a go before committing to it as a career!

Good luck.

Hi there

Yes - thankfully he has just secured teaching two evening FE courses of photography - daunting indeed but perhaps its just the opening we needed.

Thanks again

Hi MooandPops
Thanks for your kind words. One of my best friends is a freelance director/producer and she is having similar trouble - especially now she has baby. The trouble with TV / advertising is that entry level is much more accessible and there are so many students /graduates will work for free. It's really hard isn't it? Wish you lots of luck. Sounds like he is on the right lines.

Is there potential around the 'grey' market rather than the young student market? My local adult ed centre seems to me to get most of its students from retirees and empty nesters who jump from course to course. Could he market private photography courses to this sector once qualified?