Job market information
Finding out about work based learning
The work‐based learning industry is part of the lifelong learning sector, represented by Lifelong Learning UK Sector Skills Council, which also includes: community learning and development; further education; higher education; and libraries, archives and information services. The sector as a whole currently employs over 1.2 million people in a range of educational institutions, as well as public and private sector organisations.
The work based learning industry covers staff working for organisations concerned with the delivery of training and assessment for the workplace. The industry provides work focused learning opportunities relevant to the workplace environment. Staff work for:
- National training providers
- Specialist training providers
- Private sector training organisations
- Voluntary and community local community organisations
- Regional charities
- National third sector bodies
Staff can also work in: the training divisions of other bodies including large employers (such as travel or retail, further education colleges, Local Authorities, Higher Education institutions); or a specialist division within a body (such as a recruitment agency).
Key facts:
- In the industry, there are 41,525 working, of which:
- 30,000 staff in England
- 1,625 staff in Northern Ireland
- 6,900 in Scotland
- 3,000 in Wales
- In England, 36% of the workforce described their main activity as ‘teaching’.
- In England, 62% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
Jobs in the industry include: Head of department, senior lecturer, team leader, curriculum leader, lecturer, teacher, trainer, learning support staff, assessor, and internal verifier.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements and progression in the industry are varied.
To become a training officer, entrants start as a trainee or assistant in a personnel or training department or from other educationally focused roles. Applicants will need company or sector knowledge and experience.
To become a training manager, applicants need experience as a training officer, and a degree or postgraduate qualification (in a subject such as business studies, human resources or communications). For those without a degree, there are opportunities to progress from a training officer or personnel position by gaining experience and a professional qualification, such as those offered by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
To become an NVQ assessor, applicants need occupational competence in the sector they will be assessing. Qualifications in the area are also usually required (especially NVQs at level 3 or above), as well as an assessment qualification. To become an Internal Verifier applicants also need an assessment qualification and a Level 4 award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process.
There are good opportunities for progression. For instance, in larger organisations staff are able to progress from a training officer to senior training officer or training manager. With experience and knowledge of the market, self‐employment and freelancing can be an option, as departments often bring in expertise as required. Independent trainers also often move into full‐time employment.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (at undergraduate and post‐graduate), apprenticeships, training schemes and vocational qualifications.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
41,525 |
|---|
| Gender: |
39% male |
61% female |
|---|
| Age: |
47% of the workforce is aged 40 years or under |
|---|
Employment trends and future prospects
It is estimated that the size of the lifelong learning workforce as a whole will increase from 2008 to 2015, so will require significant recruitment during this period. It is likely that the work‐based learning industry will increase in a similar manner.
As the lifelong learning sector relies on voluntary workers and a high proportion of publicly funded positions, the recession is unlikely to impact on the estimated demand for the workforce as severely as the private sector. However, it is expected that there will be an overall decrease on available funding, which will affect employment figures.
Skill requirements and shortages
The main skills shortages in the industry are:
- Management and leadership
- Assessment and internal verification skills
- Skills for Life (and its equivalents: Essential Skills; Adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL)
- Updating of industrial practices
Occupational trends
[N.B. There are no data on occupational trends in the industry.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 2,581 people in the workforce in the region.
East of England – There are an estimated 3,054 people in the workforce in the region.
London – There are an estimated 4,476 people in the workforce in the region.
North East – There are an estimated 1,680 people in the workforce in the region.
North West – There are an estimated 3763 people in the workforce in the region.
South East – There are an estimated 5,347 people in the workforce in the region.
South West – There are an estimated 3,101 people in the workforce in the region.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 2,864 people in the workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 3,133 people in the workforce in the region.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 1,625 people in the workforce in the region.
Scotland – There are an estimated 6,900 people in the workforce in the region.
Wales – There are an estimated 3,000 people in the workforce in the region.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salary levels:
- Training directors or senior managers can earn £50,000
- Training manager £19,000 ‐ £40,000
- Training officer £20,000 ‐ £30,000
- Training assistant £16,000 ‐ £18,000
- Assessor/Internal Verifier £16,000 ‐ £25,000 (work done in these roles is often paid hourly)
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using LLUK AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
