Education and Training Qualifications – AET VS CET
Here at Brooks and Kirk, we offer two courses within the Education and Training suite.
- Level 3 Award in Education and Training (formerly PTLLS).
- Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (formerly CTLLS).
This suite replaced the Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (TLLS) qualifications in 2014.
We get a lot of questions about the difference between these two qualifications, and which one is preferable.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 120 Hours
If you’re looking at getting into teaching or training in the Further Education sector, then the Award in Education and Training (AET) is the course for you. The AET will qualify you to teach in the sector you can be deemed occupationally competent in. It’s the first step towards professional recognition in becoming a teacher, tutor or trainer in the sector.
This course is delivered through our virtual learning system, Moodle.
Course Details
There are no entry requirements for this course. We also don’t have set start/end dates for any of our courses. This means you can get started today, and take as long as you need to finish the course. We understand real life and other commitments get in the way, so there’s no pressure for you to complete this within a certain amount of time.
Unit 1
This is a completely knowledge-based unit. In unit 1, you will learn the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in Education and Training. This unit is delivered online via our learning system.
Unit 4
This unit of the AET course is where you will complete a ‘Micro-teach’. This means you need to deliver a 15 minute lesson on a subject of your choice. The Micro-teach is carried out face-to-face, where you would need to travel to one of our centres. The lesson can be on something specific to your industry – for example, past learners have delivered microteach sessions on how to fit hair extensions; how to wire a plug; even manual handling and first aid. Or, this can be something irrelevant to your industry – we’ve had learners deliver sessions on the basics of speaking Italian; how to organise a tea-party; or, how to make a cup of tea!
Unit 4 also requires you to evaluate your own practice. Throughout this unit, you will develop a better understanding in how to plan, deliver, and evaluate inclusive teaching and learning.
Unit 5
Last but not least, unit 5 is another theory-based unit. In this unit, you will gain a better understanding of assessment and how it is used in Education & Training. You will also learn how to involve students in assessment and what the requirements are for record keeping.
Even though the course is delivered through a blended learning system, you will still have access to unlimited support from your tutors. They’re there to help you through your course whenever you need it, either over the phone or via email.
In terms of the cost of the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, it depends on how you would like to pay for it. You can save some money by paying in full; or, alternatively, you can break it down into more manageable payments and spread the cost of the course over a flexible instalment plan (max. 12 months).
If you choose to pay in full, the total cost of the course is £245.
If you choose to pay in instalments, the total cost of the course is £295.
This price is based on using SFJ Awards as the Awarding Body. If you would prefer to use Pearson Edexcel as the Awarding Body, then you will incur an additional charge of £30. The Awarding Body you use does not affect any aspect of the course.
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 360 Hours
If you’re already working in an educational setting and want to enhance your skills in this field, then the CET course will be the better option for you. Perhaps you are working part-time as a teacher/tutor/lecturer; or you’re working with large groups, assessing NVQs or one to one with learners. Either way, if you’re looking to expand in your current role, then this course will work for you.
This qualification is predominantly delivered online through our previously-mentioned learning platform. Our in-house assessors have consolidated all of the assessment criteria you need to evidence into sequential, bite-sized tasks. This means no cross-referencing for you; no daunting piles or paperwork; and no overlapping of criteria you may have covered elsewhere! We will, however, need to collect evidence of at least three one-hour observations, which we can use to demonstrate a variety of teaching skills. This can either be observed by one of us here at Brooks and Kirk, or a suitably qualified individual within your organisation.
Course Details
As part of this course, you will need to evidence at least 30 hours of teaching practice and allow some of your lessons to be observed as evidence towards your qualification. You will also need to be occupationally competent in the subject area you wish to teach. As with our other courses and the AET, there are no time constraints. So, again, you can get started today and take as long as you need to finish the course.
Through our online learning system, you will have access to many resources to help you with your course, such as training videos; directed research demonstrations; and audio podcasts. You will, of course, be guided by qualified teachers and will have unlimited access to a team of dedicated tutors and assessors. If you’re not great with IT/computers don’t worry – we can provide one to one, on screen support to help you improve these skills too. It’s all part of the package!
And now, the cost aspect. Again, you can pay in full for the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training or you can pay in instalments.
If you choose to pay in full, the total cost of the course is £750.
If you choose to pay in instalments, the total cost of the course is £850.
So, hopefully, that has explained the difference between the two Education and Training courses we offer here at Brooks and Kirk. If you’d like to find out more or have any questions, please give us a call on 01205 805 155 or send us an email to training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.