National qualification provider NCFE has launched Level 3 and Level 4 Awards in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector – a range of courses which allow learners to pass on their skills and knowledge as teachers or lecturers in the adult education sector. The Lifelong Learning sector – which includes adult education, personal development, skills training and on-the-job training - currently employs over one million people – with professionals accounting for 56 per cent of the workforce. This is set to increase, with a predicted increase of three per cent in the next five years. According to research by Lifelong Learning UK, almost 300,000 new recruits will be required in the Lifelong Training sector by the year 2014 - to satisfy both predicted expansion and replacement demand.

David Grailey, Chief Executive at NCFE, said: "At NCFE we have noticed more people are definitely going back into further education – and it’s not just to learn. Many of them are looking to pass on their skills and knowledge through teaching. A lot of skilled workers, among others, are taking teaching courses in order to become a lecturer or tutor. In every case, they will be excellently placed to pass on their direct, hands-on experience of working in their specialist areas."

The qualifications are developed for people new to the Lifelong Learning sector, covering a number of key areas including understand the roles and responsibilities of the teacher, understand appropriate teaching and learning approaches within a specialist area, planning, delivering and evaluating a micro-teach session and understanding the use of different assessment methods and the need for record keeping.

David Grailey continued: "In the short term, and on individual levels, doing this makes perfect sense – it helps keep people on their feet when times are tough, providing work and a valuable use for their skills. More broadly speaking, this rush to pass on skills and knowledge will stand the UK in good stead for any demands its own job market will have in the future.

"This fits in perfectly with the Government’s plans to ensure the education sector is responding effectively to the needs of employers. Never before has this been more important."