What about Education Services?

An understanding of sciences, mathematics, and technology is essential to modern day life, helping people make decisions about everything from healthcare to computer hardware. In addition, we need a plentiful supply of talented individuals to fill the many jobs, especially teaching, that require scientific skills and knowledge. Teaching is your chance to make a significant impact on the future.

But perhaps the most compelling reason to work in the education sector is the desire to inspire. Some point to a "calling," a yearning to help people learn, watch them grow, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Teaching is an extremely rewarding job, and it just got better. As of September 2007, newly qualified teachers earn a minimum of £20,000 (£24,000 in London). Maths and science teachers also receive a bursary of £9,000 during training and a one-off ‘golden hello’ payment of £5,000 when they start their second year on the job.

There 382,000 teaching jobs in primary and secondary education, and 280,000 more in higher education establishments. Many teaching opportunities are also available abroad.

Typical activities

Education is about helping people to develop their skills, knowledge and attitudes. There are opportunities to work with a wide range of people of all ages, from very young children to adults:

Setting up, delivering and checking equipment for classes
Designing new courses and lessons to meet student needs
Assessing students' work and their progress
Conducting research (often on behalf of sponsors) with the aim of publication
Acting as personal tutor to a number of students

Getting in

schoolboy © Photographer: Wessel Du Plooy | Agency: Dreamstime.com

People usually need a degree or a postgraduate qualification to get into school teaching and HE lecturing, and science graduates are in high demand. You can choose a degree which incorporates teaching training, or take another course such as a PGCE once you have graduated in order to qualify as a teacher. If you like the idea of teaching but don't want to commit long term, the Teach First programme allows you to train as a teacher whilst also developing valuable workplace skills. This enable you to teach for a few years and then make a smooth transition into another job.

Experience is more important than qualifications for other positions auch as lab technicians, teaching assistants and learning mentors. For these jobs often A-levels in relevant subjects and an enthusiasm for teaching are sufficient.

There are opportunities to work with a wide range of people of all ages, from very young children to adults. Training is more concerned with passing on technical or practical skills that people need in their work. Most jobs offer varied and challenging work.

Typical employers

There is a wide range of employers, including schools, colleges, universities, adult education centres, community and voluntary organisations, language schools, industrial and commercial companies, local authorities and the Armed Forces: