As a community education co-ordinator, you would make sure educational and recreational courses are available to meet the needs of the local community, and encourage people to take part in them.
You could work with the whole community or a particular group, such as families, ethnic minority groups or young people. Many jobs are in areas where there are high levels of unemployment or social deprivation.
Your tasks would typically include:
You may also be responsible for encouraging people to get involved in activities in a particular setting, such as a museum or theatre.
You could work full- or part-time hours, usually including evenings, and sometimes Saturdays.
You would usually be based in an office in a school, college or local centre where courses are held. You would need to travel locally to visit classes and attend meetings.
Community education co-ordinators can earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. Earnings for senior posts can be £30,000 or more.
Earnings may be lower in the voluntary sector.
You could be employed by organisations including:
- Local Education Authorities.
- Colleges of further education.
- Voluntary community organisations.
- Educational organisations such as the Workers' Educational Association (WEA).
- Youth and community organisations such as the YMCA.
Some jobs, particularly with voluntary organisations, may be on projects which are funded for a set period, so are short-term.
Vacancies are advertised in local and national newspapers, on local authority or individual organisations websites, and on LG Jobs.
You will usually need one of the following, depending on the job:
A further education teaching qualification and experience.
A youth and community qualification and experience.
Paid or voluntary community education or development experience.
You may find it useful to have a degree in a subject like educational studies, community education, communication studies or youth and community work, although this is not essential.
As you will need to travel locally, you will usually need a driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Once you are working as a community education co-ordinator, you can develop your skills and keep up to date with lifelong learning developments by attending short courses. These may be provided in-house, or by lifelong learning or community development organisations.
You can develop your career by completing any of the following:
See the LSIS Information and Advice website for full details of further education teaching.
Depending on your job, you could find it useful to complete a qualification such as a diploma in youth and community work, which is often available part-time.
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A community education co-ordinator needs
Your prospects for progression will vary – in large adult education services or further education colleges there is more likely to be a clear career structure, and you may have the opportunity to take on more management responsibilities.
You may be able to move into community development work, perhaps with further training.
Department for Education and Skills (DfES),
Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street,
London SW1P 3BT
Tel: 0870 000 2288.
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk
Further Education Lecturers' Association,
The Educational Institute of Scotland,
46 Moray Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BH
Tel: 0131 225 6244
Website: www.eis.org.uk
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