At the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, we aim to serve the education and skills needs of the Yorkshire region from our Colleges in Castleford, Selby and Wakefield. We recognise the crucial role that our employees play in delivering our mission, both in and out of the classroom, and that is why we strive to attract and retain the very best people and provide a working environment where our colleagues are able to succeed.
- Could You Receive £31,000 to Train as a Further Education Teacher?
The UK government is offering individuals up to £31,000 to train as Further Education (FE) teachers — with no repayment required! This is due to a critical shortage of qualified teachers in colleges across the UK, creating real opportunities for people with the right skills and experience.
The demand for FE teachers is rapidly increasing – Could this be the next step in your career? Could this be the right journey for you?
In Further Education, around 40% of colleges have had to cancel courses due to staff shortages, according to an Association of Colleges survey. This means thousands of students are unable to access the courses they want due to a lack of FE teachers.
Since 2024, staff shortages have affected current students, and future learners face the same challenge. The National Audit Office (NAO) estimates FE colleges will need between 8,400 and 12,400 additional teachers by 2028/29.
For the 2025-26 academic year, the UK government is offering tax-free bursaries to train teachers in high-demand subjects, including:
- £31,000 for Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Engineering, Manufacturing, or Computing
- £15,000 for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- £10,000 for English (capped at 100 places)
These bursaries are paid monthly throughout your training to cover living costs and do not need to be paid back.
Teaching in Further Education
Teaching in Further Education is an exciting and rewarding career, where you will work with a range of people from all backgrounds. You will work with adults and students who are looking to develop, or further their career, and you could have a positive impact, and help them achieve their goals.
Working in FE is more than just a salary. Due to the high demand, you will have job security in a rewarding role, where you receive regular salary increases, generous pension schemes, and a high annual leave entitlement, providing a work-life balance that works for you.
The bursary allows you to undertake training, without paying out of your own pocket, allowing you to upskill without the financial stress.
At the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, our teacher training programmes (Lifelong Learning) are designed for people with real experiences. From day one, you’ll split your time between classroom practice and theory, guided by expert mentors to help you build your skills.
There are so many unique opportunities in FE, and you could be the perfect fit. If this is something you’d be interested in, take the leap and apply now. You could be taking the step into the perfect rewarding career, which will allow you to expand your knowledge, and motivate and inspire other leaners to achieve their aspirations.