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Adult education lecturers teach academic and vocational subjects to adults of all ages and academic abilities.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• developing programmes of learning activities

• planning, preparing and researching lessons

• preparing teaching materials

• contact/teaching time with students on an individual or group basis

• checking and assessing students' work and giving feedback

• encouraging personal development via tutorial/pastoral work

• invigilating examinations

• attending staff meetings

• liaising with other professionals/employers

The job commonly requires working evenings and weekends. Many people enter the profession through part-time and temporary contracts, supplementing their salary by writing, private tuition and exam marking or by taking up several part-time posts.

Adult education lecturers and tutors teach a broad range of subjects, including literacy and numeracy skills, IT and creative arts.

Qualifications and training required

There are no set academic requirements for entry into the profession. However, a degree related to your respective subject is usually necessary. Requirements can vary between employers.

Although it is possible to become a lecturer without a teaching qualification, your chances of securing a role and progressing in your career improve if you do have one. There are various levels of qualifications that you can study in further education colleges, or you can do a PGCE for post-compulsory education at a higher education institution. Employers may also favour candidates who have several years' work experience. Some employers provide the opportunity to gain a teaching qualification via part-time study once in a post.

Key skills for adult education lecturers

• Ability to work well with students of all ages and backgrounds

• Organisational skills

• The ability to work as a team with colleagues

• Extensive knowledge of the subject area

• Effective verbal communication skills

• Written skills to produce coursework materials

• Creative skills to plan and deliver interesting lessons and lectures at the right level for students

Typical employers of adult education lecturers

• State-maintained and private sixth-form, adult and further education colleges

• Community or local authority adult education centres and outreach centres

• The armed forces

• The prison service