Any experience of doing PCET/ FE PGCSE Please?

chicken_licken_3

Hi,

I graduated this year with a 2:1 in Construction Management but it is not really the industry to go into at the moment (even if you could get in at all!)

2 years ago and 2 years into my 4 year course, I felt like it wasn't really what I wanted to do but I persevered logically believing it would be easier to get a job as a graduate than not. At that time, I was thinking about teaching but I am quite clear in my own mind I don't want to teach in a primary or secondary school, rather a college or such.

I have been looking at doing an FE PGCSE, I think it is also known by the PCET term. I'm living in Wales and would study in Wales too.

The problem is, the university I am looking at (Newport) has very vague descriptions on their website of the courses, although I will be going to their open evening later this week.

Seeing as my degree is what I would consider almost vague from traditional education, what exactly would I be able to teach?! I could do construction skills, property law, law in general as well as some GCSE level maths (very high mathmatical content in my degree) I suppose but honestly, I am almost feeling as if my degree has trapped me into not being able to do anything now. I go for jobs and I am told my degree is too specific/too vague/why aren't I going into the construction industry and to be honest, it is not a place I want to be to be honest.

I just wonder if anyone has any advice or whether they have studied these courses before. I am almost 100% certain I want to end up in education, it is just my degree does not really allow me to do a PGCE in a specific subject, it could get me into PGCE primary but I don't really want to teach in primary schools and I almost feel I have made a huge mistake doing my degree.

Oldernotwiser

My main career was as an FE lecturer and I have the old style Cert Ed FE/HE. I would seriously reconsider a career in FE as the pay is poor and the chances of advancement aren't great. It is also a sector which is being very heavily cut by the new government.

If you have a high Maths content in your degree, had you thought of trying to get on to a Secondary Maths PGCE? Entry requirements can be quite flexible for this; as an example, Swansea Metropolitan say you need
"For entry to the 11-18 course we require a degree in Mathematics or a mathematically related subject that includes at least 50% mathematical content such as:- Engineering; Computer Science; or Management Science "

and you could also consider doing additional Maths content with the OU if that were to be needed.

flutterbyuk25

I am starting a part time Post 16 PGCE in Sept, it's through Newport Uni but I will be studying at local college. I also found that the info on the websites was poor but once I had an informal chat with the college tutor I came away armed with lots of information.

I am doing it as I've always wanted to become a teacher, plus my employer is paying part of the fees and I already sort of teach so can do my teaching hours in work. As I can do it during work time and partly funded I jumped at the chance. It will be a good thing to fall back on, if nothing else! Plus I love learning so hopefully will enjoy it.

Have you thought about non-traditional teaching style roles? I'm a youth worker for national charity and work with 16-25 year olds, I teach key skills and employability skills but did not need a teaching qualification to get my job. There are many training providers/alternative curiculum providers in Wales that run construction courses so you could look into that avenue as a stepping stone to getting where you perhaps want to be?

HTH and good luck!

eira

Agree with Oldernotwiser. I worked in FE/HE for over 18 years-did the Cert/Training qualifications etc. In the late 90s the pay and conditions became totally unacceptable-in my college the hours went up and the pay went down.As I had qualified teacher status I went into school teaching-where the pay and conditions were better.
I have been on agency books for temporary work and only got one offer.I was part of a huge queue of mature graduates employed essentially as cheap, disposable labour. A few years back I applied for a tutor post at an adult ed centre. I was told I wasn't qualified.Reasons?-I hadn't done a new 6 week course for teaching adults/QTS didn't qualify me as a teacher (this is a total mistruth)/and my TESOL certificate only qualified me to teach overseas

I was so incensed I contacted the Institute for Learning (the FE equivalent of the GTC).Not only was I qualified but was eligible for Fellowship ! The gist is that FE is in a mess.I loved teaching in FE but I'd think twice now. I think a starting point would be the Institute of Learning to check the routes in.There's a lot of bad feeling where I work now of staff who've been on these 6 week adult ed courses to 'qualify as teachers'.As far as I'm aware if you apply for a post as an adult ed tutor you get the course for free

So have a good dig around before commiting time and money to any teaching course

Venny

I am doing my teacher training for FE at the moment whilst in post, studying for the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) course which is the newer equivalent on the cert ed and also leads to QTLS. I prefer this route to the PGCE as I can work full time and just do a lesson for 3 hours a week for 2 years and get qualified. The cost of the course is also paid for like the PGCE.
The entry requirements are you doing at least 75 hours of teaching per year - you should find that most jobs say 'teaching qualification or willing to work towards' especially in construction as the majority of teachers come from industry.

I've found a lot of people I've come across working in FE have become disillusioned with it but in my experience in working in two very different FE colleges, I am still finding it to be rewarding.

Hope this info helps and good luck with whatever route you decide to take!

savingpennies

I've worked in FE for 26 years. I advise everyone coming considering teaching these days to get a PGCE with QTS. A PGCE with QTS allows you to work in both the secondary and further education sector but a FE PGCE does not. Why do you need this?
a) Because as others have said FE's T&C's and pay are not as good as schools. I work with colleagues who are barely able to make ends meet and promotion is not always easy to get.
b) FE is also at the mercy of government policy. Lots of FE lecturers across the country have recently lost their jobs as colleges are told to make cuts and it is still going on in some places. I have been given notice of redundancy 4 times in my career and have had to reapply for the job I was occupying.

I said I have been in the job 26 years - Why am I still there? 'Cos I love it - I love working with young people, I like the changing nature of the job and the challenges it presents. Would I do it again knowing what I know now? No, I would train for schools which would give me greater choice and freedom of sectors and more security.
Just to add the DTLLS is a qualification you can get after completing a one year part time course, if you do the second year of the course it leads eventually to a PGCE.