About this qualification

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training qualification is designed to prepare learners for employment and support them to progress to a teaching role within the workplace. It has been developed for those intending to work in the post-16 education and training sector. This qualification aims to meet the needs of a range of trainee teachers, such as:

• individuals not currently in a teaching or training role – achievement of the qualification does not require practice other than microteaching unless units from the learning and development suite of qualifications are selected
• individuals currently teaching and training (including those who have just begun teaching and training) – although the qualification does not require practice other than microteaching (unless units from the learning and development suite of qualifications are selected), opportunities may be made available to observe and provide feedback on a trainee teacher's practice
• individuals currently working as assessors who wish to achieve a qualification that provides an introduction to teaching

How can this qualification be delivered?

Remote delivery is permitted. It is strongly recommended that this is synchronous (live) as distance learning is unlikely to provide opportunities for modelling of best practice and interaction with other learners.  As a minimum, observation must be synchronous (live).  Asynchronous or pre-recorded teaching or micro-teaching sessions are not permitted and do not meet the requirements of this qualification.

Who is it suitable for?

Learners should be aged 19 or over to undertake the qualification.

What are the entry requirements?

All trainee teachers joining this qualification programme should undertake an initial assessment of skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT). They should record their development needs and, where applicable, agree an action plan to address them. If trainee teachers join the qualification programme having already undertaken an initial assessment of their English, mathematics and ICT skills, their record of development needs and any previous actions taken to address them should be reviewed and updated as required. There are no other nationally agreed entry requirements.

How is this qualification structured?

To achieve this qualification, learners must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes of the units as detailed in the qualification specification. A partial certificate may be requested for learners who do not achieve their full qualification but have achieved at least one whole unit.

How is it assessed?

This qualification is internally assessed and externally quality assured via a portfolio of evidence. This qualification must be assessed in line with the Education and Training Foundation’s guidance for qualifications in education and training.

How many credits are required to complete it?

To be awarded this qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve a minimum of 12 credits:

• 3 credits from the mandatory unit in group A
• 6 credits from group B
• 3 credits from group C

Do you need to be working to take this qualification?

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is an introductory teaching qualification. Depending upon the optional units chosen, a learner will either need to take part in microteaching (Unit 02) or teaching practice in the work environment (Unit 03 and Unit 04). Therefore, it may be undertaken by individuals who are not in a teaching role if the microteaching option is taken. There is a requirement to undertake observed and assessed practice in a real work environment for the following optional units from the learning and development suite that are included in this qualification:

• Unit 03 Facilitate learning and development for individuals
• Unit 04 Facilitate learning and development in groups

For these units, practice should be in the appropriate context with groups of learners or with individual learners. The number of hours of practice required and the number of hours to be observed and assessed are not specified for these units.

What related qualifications can you progress to?

Learners may wish to progress to other qualifications in education and training.

Career opportunities

Learners may also progress into employment as a tutor within:

• further education colleges
• adult and community education providers
• offender education
• work-based learning providers
• the third/voluntary sector
• independent training organisations

Funding for our qualifications

This qualification may be eligible for funding. For further guidance on funding, please contact your local funding provider.

Useful links

Mandatory policies and fees (NCFE)