Teaching in FE – a career opportunity for working parents

More and more working parents are looking for a career that not only offers meaningful work but also provides the flexibility to balance professional responsibilities with family life. For many, their existing working pattern simply doesn’t accommodate the realities of modern parenting. But not everyone is in a position to start over or retrain full time to pursue new career options, that’s why a growing number of working parents are exploring roles that value their existing skills while offering a better work-life balance.

I recently contributed to a segment on LBC Radio, to shed light on this issue and with Father’s Day approaching it feels particularly timely. While societal attitudes are slowly evolving, there’s still a stigma—especially among fathers—around taking extended parental leave or requesting flexible working hours. Some new parents may worry that extended leave or changes to their work pattern might affect their career progression and lead to them being less visible for promotion opportunities or seen as less committed. Despite policy improvements and more open conversations in the workplace about parental responsibilities, many parents may want to reconsider their career plans and explore more flexible options (a daunting prospect if you’ve put years into building your career).

So where can you start? It’s important to recognise that your professional skills and industry knowledge are not limited to one career path. Understanding that your skills are transferable is vital when exploring alternative careers. Teaching in Further Education (FE) could be a great option to consider—offering both purpose and flexibility, while allowing you to stay connected to your industry. FE is education for learners aged 16 and over who aren’t in school or studying for a degree. Often taking place in settings such as colleges, FE offers diverse teaching opportunities across a range of technical, vocational and academic subjects, from construction to healthcare, engineering to IT and digital, to help prepare learners for work in their chosen field. Teaching in FE takes place in a variety of settings too from classroom-based learning to hands-on workshops, there are opportunities to suit every teacher and learner.

Also, you don’t always need a formal teaching qualification or an academic degree to start teaching in FE. If you have professional experience and a passion for your field, you could make a great FE teacher. Sharing your real-world experience helps students see the relevance of what they’re learning, and your insight can guide, motivate and help prepare learners for their future careers. You become more than a teacher —you become a mentor, a role model, and a bridge between education and employment. For working parents especially, and those looking for greater flexibility without stepping away from their professional identity, FE teaching can be a game-changer. Offering some flexible working patterns, whether you’re looking for full-time, part-time hours, or term-time only commitments, there’s likely to be a role that fits alongside you and your life. This flexibility could make it easier to manage school runs, childcare responsibilities or even just to carve out more quality family time.

What makes this path even more appealing is the support that many FE colleges offer for on-the-job training. You can earn while you learn, developing teaching skills and earning qualifications. For many, this will be reassuring as you don’t always need to commit to full-time study.

What’s more, teaching in FE gives you the opportunity to make a tangible impact. The UK is facing skill shortages in several key industries, from construction and healthcare to digital technologies and engineering. By sharing your sector knowledge with learners, you’re not only helping to address these shortages but also inspiring the next generation of industry professionals. For parents, this can be especially fulfilling knowing that you are shaping the future and leaving a legacy that aligns with the values you want to pass on to your own children.

So, if you’re a working parent re-evaluating your career goals, consider the possibilities that FE teaching offers. It’s a career that welcomes real-world experience and supports your development. Whether you're looking to switch paths entirely or add a new dimension to your career teaching in FE could be your next, most fulfilling step. 

To find out more and explore the teaching opportunities available in FE colleges in your area please visit teachinfurthereducation.education.gov.uk