Jobs in the education sector are often demanding but also fulfilling. Employment opportunities in the education sector vary from teaching and training to finance and human resources. These jobs are concerned with preserving the integrity of academic institutions and maintaining the wellbeing of the education sector. The education sector offers many opportunities for professionalisation at a variety of experience levels.
Although some have predicted that Brexit is a threat to the UK education sector, the UK has a strong history of winning competitive funding from the EU. Moreover, the UK often wins grants from the European Research Council, which helps to fund a large number of UK research projects. Despite having a mere 1% of the world’s population, the UK remains competitive in attracting international students. Brexit poses challenges for the education sector, but education should remain stable as long as the UK remains competitive for funding.
Benefits of Working in Education –
There are many advantages of working in the education sector. A few of the most notable include:
- Exposure to Multiple Perspectives: Jobs in education tend to expose employees to a wide variety of perspectives and many different opinions.
- Stable Schedule: Employees in the education sector can rely on a reliable work schedule with stable hours and little overtime.
- Personal Fulfilment: Employees directly impact the future of the UK and have a chance to instil knowledge in large groups of the population.
- Interpersonal Interactions: Those that choose to enter the education sector develop close relationships with their coworkers, students, and academic community.
Qualifications needed to work in Education Work –
It is generally required for those seeking jobs in the education sector to have a university degree. However, further qualifications vary depending on the position within the education sector.
For those wishing to teach, the job seeker must undergo an initial teacher training (ITT) to receive qualified teacher status (QTS). Most teaching jobs in the higher education sector require a master’s degree or a PhD.
For those seeking other types of jobs in the education sector, such as human resources or business, experience from other sectors is often directly transferable to the education sector’s work environment.
Education Work Standards –
The typical employee of the education sector works in a classroom or office. Employees work a standard work week, and overtime is rare.
Those entering the education sector should be comfortable working with others but should also have a strong sense of individualism. Although many have the misconception that education sector employees receive an ample amount of holiday, jobs in the field require outside preparation and administrative work.
Professional Development in Education –
Experience is the quickest way to increase your income in this profession. By consciously focusing on a few key skills you can quickly increase your worth within the education sector, below are 8 skills to consider:
- Adaptability: Education techniques constantly change, so a professional in the education sector must express a willingness to alter techniques and implement new approaches to education.
- Dedication: Although the education sector’s work schedule is typically straight forward, employees should demonstrate dedication to their field by preparing and researching outside of the regular work week.
- Communication: Employees in education must be able to clearly articulate knowledge and be able to gauge understanding of knowledge.
- Creativity: While many can educate, creative approaches to teaching and pedagogical implementation distinguish the strongest employees in the education sector.
- Enthusiasm: Employees in the education sector should experience the passion for their occupation and motivate others to achieve success.
- Management: In order to excel in education, an employee should be able to manage a variety of tasks and convey ideas in a coherent manner.
- Knowledge: Those working in the education sector must demonstrate expansive knowledge within their field and be able to convey this knowledge to others.
- Organisation: Employees working in the education sector must be highly organised in order to manage a variety of tasks and facilitate learning.
Education Functions –
Although some automatically associate teachers with the education sector, there are many significant roles outside of teaching, such as:
- Human Resources: HR is responsible for acquiring and retaining the best teachers in the field. HR also strategically organises the education sector in ways that directly impact students.
- Business: Business Developers are vital to stabilise educational institutions and to ensure their possibility in the future.
- Finance: Although the education sector encompasses both private and public sectors, the field of finance is vital to the success of educational institutions. Finance jobs include the maintenance of institutional accounts, financial policy development, and budget monitoring.
If you enjoy a constantly evolving profession, the education sector offers a unique opportunity to influence students and develop new professional skills.
There is a steady demand for trained educators throughout the UK, and the field continues to expand. Because of the wide range of jobs and responsibilities within the education sector, there are a variety of opportunities for career development.
Average salaries for professionals in the education sector vary from job to job. The average salary in the UK’s education sector is £31,705. Starting salaries for teachers in Inner London average £27,819 and £25,880 in Outer London.
