PTTLS training courses – the acronym stands for "Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector" – are now referred to as AET training courses. Following a change in the title to more accurately reflect the content and intended audience, the up-to-date equivalent qualification and course is the “Award in Education and Training”.
Currently, PTTLS training courses are considered the lowest (or ‘entry level’) among all the available teaching qualifications specifically aligned with this sector of education, i.e., teaching adults.
On completion of a PTLLS training course and upon achieving the qualification, to become an ‘associate’ teacher of children, the holder would then have to take the more advanced CTLLS or (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector) for the Certificate and after that the DTLLS or (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector) for the Diploma.
To achieve the certification, the learner, the associate teacher, or the trainer does not have to be in a teaching role in order to be assessed, making it a very achievable certification and a suitable starting point for anyone wanting to become an educator.
Assessment is in the form of a 'micro-teach session and submission of assignments and portfolio of evidence. The Level 4 CTLLS, however, requires one to be in a teaching or training role in order to be assessed 'on-the-job', as well as through the submission of assignments and a portfolio of evidence.
The PTLLS is the first stage of a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) in Lifelong Learning and is currently required prior to achieving the CTLLS and DTLLS to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. It is a requirement that all teachers obtain the PTLLS award, or the equivalent, to be able to continue to teach in the further education sector in the UK.
Eventually, PTLLS will no longer be offered since it is already in the process of being phased out along with the CTLLS and the DTLLS. They will all ultimately be reflected by successive levels of AET (Level 3 equivalent to PTLLS, Level 4 AET for CTLLS, and Level 5 AET, DTLLS).
Visit Educate QA (https://educateqa.uk) to view a wide range of education and training qualifications, including the above, available through distance or online learning channels.