Comment: Sharing my industry experience to prepare the next pipeline of engineering talent

I started my journey in the engineering sector as an apprentice car mechanic in the 1990s, earning an engineering qualification from City and Guilds. It was a brilliant first job and provided me with the groundwork for a long and varied career in the sector.

While I loved working with cars, my real passion for engineering stemmed from a lifelong fascination with planes. This is what led me to the RAF Careers Office in Liverpool. I served in the RAF as an aircraft airframes mechanic, which opened a world of opportunities.  From the camaraderie of basic training to the unforgettable experiences of working on Hercules planes, soaring over the Bristol Channel and Cheddar Gorge.

After completing my training at RAF Cosford and gaining expertise in various aircrafts, including Harriers, I took on a new challenge at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering Cosford, mentoring and training new recruits. It was during this time I discovered how personally fulfilling it could be to share my skills with those hoping to excel in the industry. Based on this experience I decided it was time to pivot my career and make coaching and teaching a stronger focus.

Transitioning into teaching further education was a natural progression from this role. Further education (FE) is any formal learning for those aged 16+ that is not a degree and covers a wide range of subject areas from engineering and construction, through to manufacturing, healthcare, or law. Real-world industry skills and experience are highly valued in FE; whether you're an engineer, a mechanic or a manufacturer you already have the key skills colleges look for in a great FE teacher.

My existing skills really helped me transition into further education teaching, plus I already had good experience from my RAF mentoring role that also helped. For example, I earned my Certificate for Education from the University of Wolverhampton during a fixed-term RAF teaching role. However, you don’t always need a teaching qualification to start teaching in FE - you can complete teacher training on the job so you can begin earning straight away.

Whether in a traditional classroom setting or a practical workshop, guiding and inspiring the next generation of engineers became the most fulfilling aspect of my career transition. For the past eight years at Sandwell College, I've really enjoyed teaching my students about cars. But more than that, I like showing how the things we learn about cars can be used in different jobs and drawing on examples or experiences from my own career. Whether it’s applying engineering principles to aviation, railway systems or various other sectors, I emphasise to my students the adaptability of the knowledge they’re gaining for a wide range of careers within the engineering sector. Whilst I now teach in FE full time, many teach in FE flexibly alongside their existing job or other commitments.

Many professionals don’t realise they already possess a lot of the skills and knowledge they need to teach in FE. For example, my industry experience meant that I was able to directly relate and connect with students, developed from my own journey from apprentice car mechanic to RAF engineer. I think being able to bring the theory to life through real world examples is key for inspiring the next generation into wider STEM career paths. The hands-on nature of FE courses means students have the opportunity to bridge the gap between the workshops and the working world.

By teaching in FE industry professionals are not only preparing students for the demands of their chosen field but are also helping them to cultivate a mind-set of adaptability and problem-solving. As industry professionals, we can bring unique, first-hand experiences into FE, giving students exposure to diverse engineering challenges and helping to foster a well-rounded skill set, ensuring students are versatile and ready to navigate the dynamic landscape of the engineering sector in their future careers.

I’d strongly encourage other industry professionals who are interested in taking on a new challenge to consider sharing their skills through FE teaching too. It’s a great way to stay connected to your current industry and change lives without changing your career.

Dominic Whelan, automotive lecturer at Sandwell College 

If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can share your industry skills by teaching in FE, visit: gov.uk/teach-in-further-education.