Understanding what can you teach with an AET Qualification is important to anyone who may be thinking of pursuing a career in adult education or vocational training. The L3 AET qualification is a step into teaching in the further education and skills industry, though the scope of Level 3 AET is depends on the subject knowledge and background you currently have.
What is an AET Qualification?
AET is an abbreviation of Award in Education and Training. It is an initial teaching qualification that is offered to people who desire to teach in higher education, adult education, or work-based training settings.
The Level 3 AET qualification is concentrated on the basic teaching principles such as lesson planning, inclusive practise, assessment practises, and the roles and responsibilities of a teacher. It does not prepare one to teach in primary or secondary schools but rather prepares them to provide training in post 16 educational institutions.
L3 AET Qualification Origin
Level 3 AET was introduced in 2013 after changes to the further education system in the UK to replace a qualification formerly known as the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS). The purpose of these reforms was to standardise teaching qualifications, to streamline the paths to progression as well as to make training more consistent with professional teaching standards in the lifelong learning sector.
As part of these changes, the awarding bodies came up with the new Level 3 Award in Education and Training as the new entry-level qualification into the field of further education teaching. This gave better developmental avenues and made sure that new teachers meet the new professional requirements in adult and vocational education settings.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
Overview of the AET Teaching Qualification
The AET teaching qualification equips you with the necessary knowledge that is needed to commence teaching adults as well as vocational learners. It introduces candidates to pedagogical practises, instructional management, instructional assessment and professional duties of teachers.
Providers like The Education School offer systematic programmes which are a blend of both theory and micro-teaching. This will not only help the learners know the principles of education, but also help them to practically show the teaching skills before they are transferred to actual classrooms.
Core Components of the AET Qualification
The qualification normally consists of:
Learning about education and training roles and responsibilities
Organising and conducting inclusive teaching lessons
Encouraging equality and diversity in the classroom
These are the components that make sure that new educators possess the professional standards to be able to teach with confidence in the adult learning environments.
Subjects and Settings You Can Teach with AET
AET does not provide subject specialisation; rather it qualifies you to teach what you already have in terms of professional or academic skills.
As an AET qualified, you may also teach in colleges of further education, privately offered training, an adult education centre, a community learning environment or a training programme in the workplace. The common subject areas are health and social care, business administration, IT skills, construction, beauty therapy, first aid, and other vocational subjects. Instructional settings available to AET holders are:
Further education colleges
Private training organisations
Apprenticeship programmes
Workplace or corporate training settings
The most important requirement is that you should have the right subject knowledge or industry experience in the field that you are interested in teaching.
What Opportunities Professionals Take After Completing AET
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is the initial stage in a teaching career. Some of these professionals advance to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training to expand their teaching duties.
These are higher qualifications that enabled the individuals to assume full teaching roles and plan the curriculum. This progression enhances the employment opportunities and raises the chances of earning revenue in the further education field.
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
Limitations and Scope of Teaching with an AET Qualification
Although AET gives vital teaching knowledge, it has its restrictions. It does not make people eligible to teach at primary or secondary schools, because such positions demand formal training as a teacher and a qualified teacher status (QTS).
Also, the qualification is not a substitute for subject expertise. In order to be a good teacher, you must already be qualified or have professional experience in the field. The AET qualification only confirms that you can teach that knowledge, not that you are knowledgeable in the subject.
Being aware of these boundaries makes it realistic with regard to what can you teach with an AET qualification. In the context of adult and vocational education, however, it offers a recognised starting point for a rewarding teaching career.
