Level 3 AET: What to Expect From the 3-Day Classroom Course
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) is a short, structured classroom qualification designed for people who deliver training, instruction, or teaching in workplace or vocational settings. This guide explains what the three days involve and how the course is assessed.
What Is the Level 3 AET?
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is a nationally recognised qualification for people who deliver learning in a workplace, vocational, or community setting.
It is designed for trainers, instructors, assessors, and subject specialists who need a formal teaching qualification to support their role.
The AET sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3. It is not a degree — it is a focused, practical award that develops core teaching and training skills.
Course Structure: What Happens Over Three Days
The course runs over three days in a classroom environment. Sessions are interactive and tutor-led, with group discussion, practical activities, and individual exercises.
Day one typically covers the roles and responsibilities of a teacher or trainer, how people learn, and the principles of planning a teaching session.
Day two moves into practical delivery — working in groups, practising different delivery approaches, and understanding how to create an inclusive learning environment.
Day three focuses on assessment methods, the micro-teach activity, and completing the written assignment requirements.
The Micro-Teach
A key part of the AET is the micro-teach — a short, structured teaching session you plan and deliver to your peers on the course.
You choose the topic yourself, plan a brief session, and deliver it to the group. This is not about perfection — it is about demonstrating that you can plan and deliver learning in a structured way.
You will receive feedback from your tutor and peers after your micro-teach, which forms part of your learning and assessment.
How the AET Is Assessed
Assessment for the AET combines observed practice (the micro-teach) with a written assignment. The assignment is completed at home after the course and submitted to your assessor.
There are no formal written exams. Assessment is based on your ability to apply what you have learned to a teaching situation and to reflect on your own practice.
Most candidates find the assignment straightforward if they have engaged with the course content and can reflect honestly on their micro-teach.
Who the Course Is Suitable For
The AET is appropriate for anyone delivering training, instruction, or education in a non-school setting. This includes workplace trainers, NVQ assessors who also deliver training, health and safety instructors, and vocational education tutors.
It is also a common starting point for people who want to move into teaching or training as a career and need a recognised qualification to demonstrate that foundation.
There are no formal entry requirements, though you should be able to write a short assignment in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The AET is designed as an entry-level teaching qualification. You do not need previous teaching or training experience to enrol.
You choose your own micro-teach topic. It should be something you know well enough to teach — ideally linked to your own professional area. The duration is typically 15 to 20 minutes.
The AET replaced the former PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) qualification. They are equivalent in purpose, but the AET is the current regulated qualification.
Most candidates complete the assignment within a few hours once they have the course material to refer to. It is not a lengthy academic piece — it is a structured reflection on what you have learned.
The AET is not a school teaching qualification. It is designed for vocational, workplace, and further education contexts. School teaching requires separate, different qualifications.
You receive the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, regulated on the RQF and certificated through the awarding body.
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