Personal qualities in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Tutors delivering the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
One thing always struck me as odd about the teaching industry is that tutors particularly in college where they are expected to teach a variety of different subjects including the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) were given the role to teach employability skills, but they didn’t really have any work experience themselves. A lot of teachers go from school, college, university and then start teaching. That’s what I did so how come some of these teachers are teaching employability skills when they have limited experience working for different employers?
I’ll be honest and I coasted through college and university doing the bare minimum to get through and I did my PGCE as I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t want to grow up. But looking back 20 years, I am grateful I had so many parts time jobs from working in Tesco, Curry’s, a toy factory, a post office, a fish factory, you name it, I’ve probably worked there. Because of this, I got a good understanding of skills required for a variety of sectors and what I didn’t know at the time that I wasn’t a specialist in anything, I was naturally good at most things so I could adapt quite quickly.
Delivering the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
As I am more experienced and can reflect better on my life, I have learned that to deliver anything, you need to look the part. When I’m delivering the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) I dress smart as it’s a reflection of me as a person and a reflection of the company I represent. If you had a teacher who looked unprofessional, immediately you don’t trust this person. If I don’t trust this person, I’m not going to believe a single word that he says. By dressing smartly and looking professional, you automatically create that sense of trust which allows you to communicate that message.
Self-reflection in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
Self-reflection is a critical skill of any teacher and particular when delivering employability skills. As a younger chap growing up, I was great getting interviews, but I always struggled to get any decent jobs and looking back, the reason for that is that I always guarded when meeting new people. I would never be myself as I didn’t know what to say or how to act as I didn’t want to mess up the interview. I was going into interviews not telling myself who I am which was a bad idea looking back at it. So, when you are teaching, I always advise to be yourself, if you are yourself, you appear genuine, and it creates that trust. My learners know who I am, they know I am married and have two kids. When I teach employability skills, I look back at the mistakes I made and the reason I didn’t get the job and use this in my lessons.
Questionable behaviours in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
There were also some questionable behaviours I had at work which I’m surprised in some jobs I wasn’t sacked earlier. This are basic skills every employee should have and when I introduce our ground rules in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET), we introduce basic skills that we should apply to the workplace as well. Be on time, respect others, do your homework, be prepared. Now as a teacher, I am a role model to my learners, and I hate the phrase ‘do as I say and not what I do.’ The teachers should be a role model in the behaviours and attitudes the wish to teach. How can I ask my learners to be on time if I’m always late? Its hypocritical and you lose respect.
