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Education, teaching, and childcare

Lots of influential people were inspired by great teachers. Whether you love the idea of working in a primary school, want to give people careers advice, or are driven to help children with additional needs, teaching is a rewarding career.

What is an education and childcare apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship in education or childcare is a work-based route into teaching or a similar field working with young people. You will be able to gain the qualifications needed to work in education while earning a salary and not paying tuition fees.

It’s not just teaching you can get into with an apprenticeship; there are a variety of roles like academic research at a university, careers advice, or working with children with special educational needs.

Career opportunities from an education and childcare apprenticeship

An apprenticeship in education and childcare can lead to a range of careers, including a:

•    primary school or secondary school teacher
•    teaching assistant
•    early years practitioner
•    academic research professional or lecturer
•    careers adviser
•    special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)

Reena completed a teaching apprenticeship.
£39,859*
The average salary for a teacher or lecturer in the UK
*Correct as of February 2022
600,000**
The number of teachers in the UK.
**Department for Education, correct as of February 2022
95%†
% of newly qualified teachers employed within six months of qualifying.
†National College for Teaching & Leadership

Jess Mead, teaching apprentice at Keighley College

I teach business, travel and events as that’s where my experience lies. Before this apprenticeship, I thought that was too niche and didn’t really consider teaching these subjects as an option. I enjoy the freedom I get to be creative.

Sam Murray, Academic apprentice at Middlesex University

We work with young people at the cutting edge of new and innovative ideas. That’s why I felt it was important to get industry experience. It’s difficult to teach what you’ve learned from books – you need to experience the practical side too.
Pros
  • You’ll get to inspire the next generation
  • There are opportunities to travel the world
  • You can specialise in lots of different areas
Considerations
  • You may have to work long hours
  • You need lots of energy and motivation
  • You may have challenging pupils

Who would suit an education and teaching apprenticeship?

You might be interested in an education, childcare, and teaching apprenticeship if you:

  • are passionate about working with young people
  • think you could inspire the next generation
  • like the idea of helping people discover their futures

You might be a good fit for an education apprenticeship if you are:

  • a good communicator
  • a good collaborator
  • adaptable to situations around you
  • caring and a good listener
  • good with young people
  • eager to learn

Take the career quiz

Not sure if an education and childcare apprenticeship is for you? Take our career quiz to find out your options.

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FAQs about education and childcare apprenticeships

Industry top tips

Watch our top tips on how to get into teaching and lecturing.

Kevin O'Hare, Principal at Keighley College

It’s no secret, teaching can be hard work and isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, it does offer a secure and rewarding career and I can personally say that having worked in further education for 30 years, I’ve not experienced a single day of being bored.

Search for education and childcare apprenticeships

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