AAT Teacher: Is it the role for you?
Posted: 5 October 2018 at 8:00 am | Author: CAW Business School
If you hold an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, you may have considered taking your specialist skills and knowledge into a classroom. Becoming an AAT Teacher is a thoroughly rewarding and respected career choice for those looking to inspire others. Is the role for you? Take a look at what the job involves and how you can get started…
What is involved in being an AAT teacher?
As an AAT Teacher / Lecturer, you would be delivering teaching across the AAT qualification to students. You may also have the opportunity to teach on short course programmes and events.
There are opportunities to work in colleges and education centres with standard weekday working hours (30-40 hours per week); part-time jobs and temporary positions are also often available. Depending on the role you wish to undertake, you could be expected to work evenings and weekends on occasion. If you are helping students complete the qualifications as part of an apprenticeship, you may be required to travel in order to visit your students in their workplace. Your day-to-day duties could include:
- Developing and delivering lesson plans
- Running revision sessions
- Interviewing prospective students prior to enrolment on the course
- Discussing academic progress and providing career support to students
- Attending open days and career events on behalf of your employer
- Writing reports on the progress of your students and providing references if needed
As you gain experience, you could look to take on a senior managerial role. For example, overseeing the progress of other lecturers or managing the lecturing team as a whole. There is also scope to work your way up to head of department. Another option is to become an assessor, verifier or examiner.
Becoming an AAT Teacher
In order to become an AAT Teacher, you will usually need to hold a qualification in the AAT subject you wish to teach, to the level at which you wish to teach at. In addition, you will need to demonstrate a good standard of general educational competence by holding GCSEs Grade C/4 or above / Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English (or equivalent). You will also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing work as an AAT Teacher.
Many employers will look for relevant teaching qualifications and experience, such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. It is worth noting that the most common misconception about becoming an AAT Teacher is that you already have to have a teaching qualification to get into the role. Although this would be a distinct advantage, it is worth doing some research into potential employers and getting in touch. Some employers (including CAW Business School) may be willing to fund your teaching qualification whilst you study on-the-job.
Entry criteria for teaching AAT programmes will vary from centre to centre. It would be best to identify the approved AAT training providers nearest to you and discuss your background with them.
Interested in becoming an AAT Teacher?
CAW Business School offer the opportunity for those interested in teaching to experience first-hand ‘a day in the life of’ by arranging lecturer shadow days. That way, you can see how the day develops from start to finish, see what the role involves and get more of an idea if it is for you. To find out more about shadowing a lecturer at CAW, contact our HR team on 01480 275500.