Engineers are most welcome in the teaching profession where there is a shortage of those with technical knowledge. There are now several ways into this profession. You might take a postgraduate certificate in education or train on the job in a school.

Teaching engineering

You could teach technology in school or engineering-related subjects in a college of further education. Alternatively you might teach science or maths, areas where there has for many years been a shortage of teachers.

To be successful you need an inventive mind to find many different ways of explaining to suit all the learning styles of your pupils. Establishing a rapport and having patience with your class are essential qualities, as are the strong administrative skills needed to organise your work.

If your passion for the subject you are teaching shines through and is transmitted to your pupils you will become an excellent teacher.

Teach First

For those with high-flying qualifications there is a scheme called Teach First through which you may end up working in a management consultancy or investment bank after two years teaching.

Graduate salaries

Starting salaries are in the region of £19,000 to £22,500, the latter in central London.

Professional bodies

• National Union of Teachers (NUT)
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
• Association for Science Education (ASE)

Related jobs

• Further / higher education teacher
• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher

Find out more

You can find out about teaching jobs in the Teaching & training section of this website.