[Wolves] City and Guilds stuff - PC related

[Andy Wootton]

Kevanf1 wrote:

>On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 13:27:00 +0000, sparkes <sparkes at westmids.biz> wrote:
>  
>
>>Kevanf1 wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>This does have a basis in Linux so bear with me, please.
>>>
>>>
>>>So, anybody know about the course?  What's involved?
>>>      
>>>
>>lots of boring assignments about theory and lots of teaching practise.
>>You can't even start the course without about 40 hours of teaching over
>>the second half of the course.
>>
>>I personally wouldn't bother because the colleges will just take the
>>piss and pay you about 20 quid an hour for the hours you are teaching
>>(with a maximum of only about 12 hours) but then expect you to work
>>every waking hour developing courses and marking.  I don't think I
>>worked under 60 hours in any week (+ about 10 hours for 7404
>>assignments) and had a fixed maximum earning that put me on a par with
>>the kids working in McDonalds.  It's a rip off and the union won't
>>support you because they have to protect the rights of full time staff
>>to job security and your whole existance is against that core right.
>>
>>I have experience of this so I know what I am talking about.  I
>>personally wouldn't advise anyone doing this course or starting out as a
>>'part-time' lecturer.  If you want to do it study the PCSE and attempt
>>to get a full time job.  Part-time lecturing won't give you enough to
>>pay the bills.
>>
>>It's incredibly sad but helping people learn in fe doesn't pay the bills
>>and you would be better off finding someother outlet for your skills.
>>
>>sparkes
>>
>>--
>><davee> "Sparkes, the Pete Best of LugRadio"
>>
>>_______________________________________________
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>>
>>    
>>
>Bugger.  My problem is that I simply don't have the qualifications to
>get a decent job.  I can't go back to what I was doing as I am simply
>physically unable to do so.  The so called benefits I'm on are
>atrocious and getting worse.  All this bull about being able to get
>'working family tax credit' even if you earn something like £48,000 a
>year?  Rubbish.  My wife and I have total taxable income of £14,080
>per annum.  With this we are supposed to bring up two kids - our
>eldest doesn't count as she's nearly 21 now.  Which is why I am
>looking for a another job.  Our working family tax credit has just
>been stopped.  Totally.  Which means we will be minus approx £4,000 a
>year. So, I may be forced to consider this 7407 even if just for a
>short time.  I can't do any other sort of educational course without
>being kicked off benefits completely.
>
>Not easy and bear in mind I'm registered disabled too.  Which despite
>all the legislation actually doesn't make a blind bit of difference in
>the job market.
>
>  
>
Kevan,

My wife worked as a part-time lecturer until last year when she couldn't 
stand it any more. She would generally agree with Sparkes' comments plus 
a few extra negative points about the way FE is managed. She managed to 
get 28 hours teaching at one point. The rate is intended to include 
payment +50% for preparation which clearly isn't enough.

She says that Brian May <Brian.May at cannock.ac.uk> runs the 7407 course 
at Cannock Chase Technical College but points out that you don't 
necessarily have to have it to start work. You need suitable knowledge 
and to commit to going on the course. She taught on courses like 
numeracy as well as computing. Don't assume that the computing courses 
will be very technical. Living close is quite important or you can spend 
half your time travelling or hanging around.

Good luck,
Woo