It consists of a minimum of 120 contact and 120 non-contact hours. Six credits are brought forward from the Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. You will need to do at least 30 hours of teaching practice and 3 observations (3 hours in total). Elements of the Minimum Core of Literacy, Language and Numeracy will be embedded in this qualification.

Introduction to the qualification

The Level 3 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTTLS) is for pre-service or in-service teachers or associate teachers and is aimed at candidates who:

• are deemed to be in an associate role or
• would like or require an introduction to teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector or
• are seeking career progression within their area of work and
• have access to 30 teaching practice hours (whether pre-service or in-service).

The qualification is suitable for those who work or want to work as:

Teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector i.e. Further Education (FE), adult and community education, work-based learning and the voluntary sector, provided they are qualified/experienced in the subject they intend to teach. The decision as to what constitutes appropriate entry qualifications/ experience is at the discretion of the centre.

• Technicians and support staff in further and adult education
• Training personnel in commerce, industry, the public sector, the uniformed services or HM Forces.

The Certificate requires at least 30 hours of teaching practice. There must be a minimum of 3 observations totalling a minimum of 3 hours. Any single observation must be a minimum of half an hour.

Professional Standards
The qualification is designed to contribute towards the skills, knowledge and understanding for the Lifelong Learning Sector (LLUK) Professional Standards. 

Assessment

Mandatory Units

1.         Preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector: 6 credits
2.         Planning and enabling learning: 9 credits
3.         Principles and practice of assessment: 3 credits

Optional units

To the value of at least six credits. Optional units will be developed by Lifelong Learning UK and Awarding Bodies in partnership. They may:

1.  Reflect the context or setting in which teaching and learning takes place
2.  Be elements related to a particular teaching role "     
3.  Be specialised units on particular subjects, for example 'assessment'