Veterans Into Vocational Education

From Forces to Further Education

Build your teaching career with Activate Learning

Lead the next generation with the skills you gained in service.


               

Continue Your Service Beyond the Military

Across the UK, thousands of Armed Forces personnel, service leavers, and veterans explore new career pathways each year after military service.

Many seek meaningful civilian roles where they can continue to use their leadership, technical expertise, and experience in training and mentoring others.

At the same time, Further Education colleges and training providers face growing demand for vocational teachers, trainers, and assessors to help address skills shortages.

Veterans Into Vocational Education connects military talent with these opportunities, supporting a smooth and rewarding transition into teaching, training, and skills-based careers.

Activate Learning supports this journey by offering structured pathways into education roles, including access to teaching qualifications, assessor awards, and on-the-job training. Participants are supported through mentoring, coaching, and tailored guidance, with no prior classroom experience required.

Lead the next generation with your service skills

Trade

In the Armed Forces, individuals develop deep technical expertise, discipline, and professional standards. They operate in complex environments and maintain high standards of safety, precision, and accountability.

Teach

With structured support, mentoring, and access to teaching qualifications, veterans translate their experience into the classroom, workshop, or training environment - developing others to succeed.

Thrive

Teaching becomes a meaningful second career. You’ll help apprentices and students build confidence, competence, and real career pathways.

Supporting the Armed Forces Community

We are a Gold Award holder under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, committed to supporting military careers UK and helping veterans transition into civilian employment.

We welcome applications from ex-military professionals across:

  • Engineering, construction, and building services
  • Mechanical and electrical engineering
  • Health, care, and public services
  • Space, aerospace, and technical industries
  • Hospitality and chef roles
  • Gaming, digital, and business support roles
  • Leadership, training, and instructional roles

We recognise the strong transferable skills gained through military service, including leadership, discipline, teamwork, and technical expertise.

These skills are highly valued across jobs for veterans UK, supporting successful career transitions into education, training, and wider civilian sectors.

Speak to Our Talent Acquisition Team for more information

Veterans into Vocational Education

A career in teaching and training offers strong benefits and long-term stability, making it an attractive transition from military life.

Explore Wellbeing & Benefits

 

"I Joined Armed Forces when I was 20 years old, transitioned in to the prison service then into Activate Learning. I had reservations with teaching, however the students and staff make you feel welcome, and settled - Its one whole team."

"Opportunities have been really, really good, Activate paid for my teaching degree and gave me time to prepare and get good grades"

Charlotte Coulter - Public Services & Outdoor Teacher

Military Skills in Education Careers

Military experience translates strongly into education roles. Leadership, mentoring, instruction, and assessment skills are highly valued in vocational teaching, training, assessing, apprenticeship coaching, and adult education.

Explore Careers in Teaching and Training

Teaching in FE focuses on helping learners gain the practical skills, technical knowledge, confidence, and behaviours needed for their chosen trade or profession. It includes:

  • Hands-on skills training

  • Workshops and demonstrations

  • Industry-linked projects

  • Theory lessons

  • Coaching and mentoring

  • Skills assessment

FE is highly practical, applied, and industry-focused—ideal for people from a trade background.

College life is dynamic, hands-on, and varied. You’ll:

  • Lead practical workshops

  • Teach classroom-based theory lessons

  • Coach learners through real trade tasks

  • Provide feedback and support

  • Work with local employers

  • Help shape the next generation of skilled workers
    You’ll be part of a supportive team with access to training, teaching resources, and development opportunities.

 

Yes. Many veterans already have experience in instruction, coaching, and assessment, which are key skills in teaching. You can start in roles such as Instructor or Trainer while gaining qualifications. 

FE students range from 16 to adult learners. You may teach:

  • 16–18 full-time students preparing for work

  • Adult learners retraining or upskilling

  • Apprentices who work in industry and attend college part-time

  • Higher-level learners studying technical or professional qualifications

Depending on the role you’re interested in, you would work within one of Activate Learning’s colleges. This includes:

You may also visit employer sites if you’re working with apprentices or conducting workplace assessments.

The day to day teaching would be in workshops, training facilities, classrooms and industry standard training rooms.

The role includes:

  • Delivering practical workshops

  • Running theory lessons

  • Marking and assessing learner work

  • Planning lessons and preparing resources

  • Attending team meetings and training
    It’s varied and rewarding, with a balance of hands-on work and learner support.

  • Teacher/Lecturer – Delivers both practical and theory lessons; responsible for planning, delivery, progress, and assessment.

  • Trainer – Primarily focuses on delivering hands-on practical skills.

  • Tutor – Provides pastoral support, mentoring, and guidance.

  • Assessor – Evaluates learners’ skills, knowledge, and competence against qualification standards, often in the workplace.
    Different roles suit different strengths—some are more practical; others focus on teaching or assessment.

No — you do not need to pay. 

At Activate Learning, we support your development by providing access to recognised teaching qualifications, including: 

  • Award in Education and Training (Level 3)  
  • Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship  

These qualifications are delivered as part of your employment, allowing you to earn while you learn and build your teaching career. 

Find out more about teaching at Activate Learning: 
https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk/work-with-us/teaching-at-activate-learning/ 

Not always. In Further Education, industry experience is highly valued, and you can often gain teaching qualifications while working.

Activate Learning offers excellent holiday entitlement—typically around 40 days per year, plus bank holidays. Exact allowances vary depending on the contract and role.

Yes.  Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), is one of the most generous public-sector pension schemes. As a member, you’ll benefit from:

  • A secure, defined-benefit pension based on your salary and length of service

  • Significant employer contributions

  • Life assurance and family benefits

  • Flexibility around retirement age and options for phased retirement
    You’ll receive full details of the scheme and how to join during your onboarding process.

Yes. You’ll receive: 

  • Mentoring from experienced teachers  
  • Ongoing coaching and development  
  • Structured support while gaining qualifications  

You won’t be expected to figure things out on your own.

Ex-military personnel are well suited to roles that use leadership, discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Common career paths include teaching and training (such as instructor or apprenticeship roles), health and safety, operations and project management, logistics, and technical or engineering jobs.

Many also move into leadership, teaching, or facilities management. Military experience is highly valued for its focus on responsibility, working under pressure, and maintaining high safety standards.

Yes. Many vocational staff work part-time or on flexible contracts. Part-time roles are common in areas where industry professionals split their time between teaching and their trade.
 

You’ll work towards nationally recognised teaching and assessing qualifications. We’ll help you choose the right route depending on your role and experience. Continuous professional development (CPD) is part of the job, so you’ll keep building your skills throughout your career with us.

You don’t need to hold teaching qualifications before applying. Many new FE teachers complete their qualifications on the job, supported and funded by Activate Learning. These may include:

  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)

  • Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)

  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)

  • Assessor or IQA qualifications (depending on the role)

Yes. Many vocational teachers progress into roles such as:

  • Curriculum Lead or curriculum manager

  • Assessor or internal verifier

  • Senior leadership roles within FE

  • Director

Activate Learning is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all staff and learners feel safe, respected, and supported. This includes:

  • Staff training on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)

  • Clear policies and procedures

  • Support networks for staff

  • Inclusive teaching practices

  • Support teams for learners with additional needs
    Our aim is to ensure everyone can succeed regardless of background or identity.

Many ex-Armed Forces personnel successfully move into teaching because military experience builds strong leadership, communication, and instructional skills. To get started, you’ll usually need to explore the type of teaching role you want (such as further education, apprenticeships, or technical instruction) and check whether you need any teaching or assessing qualifications.

If you’re new to teaching, providers such as Activate Learning offer pathways into education and can help you understand what qualifications or training you may need. Your military experience is often highly valued, especially in vocational, technical, and practical subjects.

To begin your journey, apply on our website or get in touch for an informal information conversation to discuss your experience and the best route into teaching for you.

 

 

  • Visit the “Work With Us” page on the Activate Learning website.

  • Browse opportunities that match your trade.

  • Apply with your CV outlining your industry experience.

  • If successful, you’ll receive training and support to transition into teaching.

  • Cant see a role? Join our Talent Pool

From Military Experience to Teaching Impact

Your military trade experience can help shape the workforce of tomorrow. The skills you’ve developed—technical expertise, discipline, and real-world problem-solving—are highly valued in education and training roles.

 

By moving into teaching, you can pass on practical skills and industry insight that employers need. Explore teaching opportunities to find out how to get started, discover available roles, and find a pathway that fits your experience and goals.

Apply Here