As a child, I was inspired by the story of Amelia Earhart and her adventures with flight. When I was about 10, I decided I wanted to become a pilot to find out how planes worked. A family member who was an engineer said: ‘Well, pilots don’t know how they work but engineers do.’ So that was it. Engineering it was. This led me to my determination to study engineering and get to grips with theories of aeronautics.
I joined Engineering Manufacturing straight from school at 18 and was then sponsored through my degree level studies and was involved in implementing Quality Management Processes at work through this time. I also spent some time in France supporting with Engineering research. The real-world expertise I have gained during this time has informed my approach to teaching in further education (FE) and enables me to pass on my knowledge and inspire future talent through sharing my own experiences.
I feel so lucky to have found such a rewarding career.”
Having worked in both the engineering and manufacturing sector for 6 years, I felt it was time for another challenge. I really missed interacting with people and wanted a role where I could share my existing knowledge and skills. A friend suggested I look at teaching in further education. At first, I thought I wouldn’t be qualified as I didn’t have a teaching degree, but the local college I applied to reassured me it was my experience from industry that was important. My skills were more valuable than I realised, and I was able to start right away and do my teacher training on the job.
I remember going out for dinner with friends a few years after I started teaching in FE, and they all said they wished they had a job they loved as much as I loved mine. I feel so lucky to have found such a rewarding career.
I started out my career working in the manufacturing industry which was heavily male dominated and when I went on to degree level study, there were only a handful of girls on my course. However, at that point in time, I was very well supported by more senior female colleagues within my workplace. They provided advice and guidance and encouraged me to be confident in predominantly male teams. I would like to think that my current work in FE teaching provides the same support to other female students as I was once lucky to receive.
This is an excellent opportunity to train the next pipeline of talent in your industry without changing your career.”
I am passionate about supporting a better gender balance within the industry. As a further education teacher, I have the opportunity to engage with female learners who might be considering a career in engineering and work with them towards their goals. Alongside my teaching role, working in FE has also opened opportunities to work with organisations such as Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) to develop projects which seek to raise awareness of engineering careers choices.
It is essential that our students can benefit and learn from the industry experience of their teachers to understand how engineering is applied in real cases. I was trained as a Manufacturing Engineer including being given a key role in several continuous improvement projects. This informs my approach to teaching – key concepts such as continuous improvement, preventative maintenance and agile engineering underpin the way engineers work most effectively so I ensure that I teach these skills.
I would highly encourage other industry professionals to consider teaching part-time in FE. This is an excellent opportunity to train the next pipeline of talent in your industry without changing your career. Lessons don’t just take place in the classroom. You can do workshops, teach on-site or anywhere that allows learners to get hands-on experience in the field they are thinking of moving into.
Knowing you’re changing learners’ lives, getting to know them, hearing about the challenges they have faced and what they want to achieve, has been brilliant.
It was particularly inspiring to support our Engineering learners who used their skills to make valuable contributions to supporting the NHS during the Covid pandemic. We had apprentices involved in designing and manufacturing ventilators, installing lighting for the Nightingale hospitals, and working on building maintenance within NHS Hospitals.
If you are a young woman considering entering the Engineering and manufacturing industry, I would highly encourage you to go for it. The engineering landscape evolves rapidly, so you will never get bored on the job! Stay open-minded and committed to continuous learning. Connect with other women in engineering, learn from their experience and celebrate each other’s successes.
But most importantly, believe in yourself. Engineering can be challenging, but it is an opportunity to grow. Who knows, maybe down the line you will also decide to become a further education teacher to pass on your love for engineering to other curious minds.
Dominic’s career took him from apprentice car mechanic to RAF engineer. Today, he’s finding a new level of fulfilment by teaching in further education.
By passing on her skills to the next generation of health and social care workers, further education teacher Denise Harris is inspiring her students to better support their patients – and preparing them for the world of work.
IT specialist Christian had a fulfilling career, but struggled to balance work with family life. Teaching in FE offered more flexibility – and the chance to share his skills.