The further education industry is part of the lifelong learning sector, represented by Lifelong Learning UK Sector Skills Council, which also includes: community learning and development; higher education; libraries, archives and information services; and work‐based learning. 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 further education industry includes staff involved in the delivery, support and management of learning who work in general further education (FE) colleges, tertiary colleges, sixth form colleges, independent specialist colleges, Scotland’s further education colleges and post‐16 learning in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Key facts:
- There are 305,243 people working in further education, of which:
- 263,257 staff are in England
- 6,357 staff are in Northern Ireland
- 21, 604 are in Scotland
- 14, 025 are in Wales
- A higher proportion of female staff is employed part‐time than male staff.
- A further education lecturer usually works 37 hours a week, with around 25 hours spent teaching.
Jobs in the industry include: head of department, senior lecturer, team leader, curriculum leader, lecturer, teacher, trainer, learning support staff, assessor, internal verifier.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 22,087 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 9.9% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 8.2% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 60.8% of teaching staff work part‐time
- Pay is the second lowest of all English regions.
East of England – There are an estimated 23,091 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 10.9% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 7.8% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 53.4% of teaching staff work part‐time
London – There are an estimated 34,406 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 33.2% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 14.8% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 59.7% of teaching staff work part‐time
North East – There are an estimated 15,488 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 3.3% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 5.1% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 49.6% of teaching staff work part‐time
North West – There are an estimated 43,001 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 6.4% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 16.1% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 56.2% of teaching staff work part‐time
South East – There are an estimated 37,189 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 8.8% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 14.5% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 57.8% of teaching staff work part‐time
South West – There are an estimated 27,539 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 9.9% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 10% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 68.2% of teaching staff work part‐time
West Midlands – There are an estimated 30,894 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 12.9% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 12.4% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 59.4% of teaching staff work part‐time
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 29,562 people in the further education workforce in the region, of which:
- 6.7% of the teaching staff are of a Black or Minority Ethnic origin
- 11% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 58.9 % of teaching staff work part‐time
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 6,357 people in the further education workforce: 2,142 staff work full‐time, 51% of them were male; and 3,465 staff work part‐time, 37% of them were female.
Scotland – There are an estimated 21,604 people in the further education workforce, of which:
- 61% of the workforce are teaching staff
- 57% of full‐time equivalents (FTEs) are female
- 51% of teaching staff FTEs and 63% of non‐teaching FTEs are female
- the majority of staff are aged 30‐49 years
- 64% of teaching staff and 37% non‐teaching staff work part‐time
- 61% of staff are employed on a permanent basis
Wales – There are an estimated 14,025 people in the further education workforce, of which:
- 60% of the workforce is teaching and learning staff
- 13% is teaching and learning support staff
- 28% is other support staff
- 61% of the workforce is female
- 70% of support staff are female
- 31% of female staff are aged 40‐49 years
- 15% of male staff are aged 50‐54 years
- amongst non‐teaching staff, numbers are high in the under 25 years age group
- 70% of the full‐time equivalent workforce is full‐time
- 74% of the full‐time equivalent workforce were employed on permanent contracts
