PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS
(Preparation, Certificate and Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
Overview; When will I need this?; CTLLS or DTLLS?; IfL membership; Where to go for more information; FAQ
Overview
PTTLS, CTLLS, DTLLS. Preparation to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, Certificate to Teach and Diploma to Teach is a new range of qualifications. You may have heard them pronounced ‘Petals’ ‘Kettles’ (or even ‘Settles’) and ‘Dettles’. They are often being referred to as the QTLS suite of qualifications. The requirements under these reforms only apply to individuals coming new to a teaching role since September 2007. If you have a 'legacy qualification' (e.g. a City & Guilds Introduction to Delivering Learning etc.) then you may well not need to take PTLLS/CTLLS/DTLLS. Any previous qualification can be traded in for their equivalent. See LLUK for more info at bottom of page.
When will I need this?
In the adult education field, it has not always been obligatory to have a tutor/teaching qualification to deliver learning. Now all that has changed. Superseding the previous City & Guilds ‘Introduction to delivering learning’ and other qualifications that used to be available, the PTTLS, CTLLS and DTTLS range of qualifications are intended to ensure that where someone is delivering learning as 'publicly funded', staff are qualified to do so. This may mean asking for PTLLS, CTLLS or DTLLS of staff as a condition of delivery. All the above qualifications are increasingly being asked as a quality benchmark, regardless of whether they are ‘legally required' (i.e. delivered with 'public money').
CTLLS or DTLLS?
Essentially, there are two paths – as a full time tutor or as an associate tutor. For both, PTTLS is the first step, the preparation to teach. Once this is achieved, individuals have 5 years to cash this in towards a CTLLS or DTTLS. You DO NOT have to do CTLLS before DTLLS (see below for further information). CTLLS is for individuals in a part-time associate tutor role (can be full time depending on role) and participants on the course must do at least 30 hours teaching during that course (typically 1 year part time). DTLLS is for individuals who have to prepare the learning programmes, learning curriculum etc. and participants on the course must do at least 150 hours of teaching during that course (typically 2 years part time and it may be that year 1 of this is considered 'CTLLS').
Local Authorities (in most areas) will provide grants for individuals undertaking DTLLS as it is a HE not FE course (unlike CTLLS) – individuals need to apply for these. See here for more information on grants.
IfL membership
Another important immediate issue is that all tutors who work in LSC funded provision join the Institute for Learning (IfL). Remember these new qualification requirements only apply to teachers new to sector from 1 Sep 2007 but ALL teachers have to join IfL and will also have to record CPD.
Where to go for more information
Please see here for full information brochure. Please see http://www.lluk.org/ for further information. They have advisors able to help define and advise on your particular situation. If you are intersted ot speka ot someone on a broader level re: possible teaching qualifications that you may wish to take, why not speak to The Learning Shop, based in Norwich, who may be able to help you more?
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
Do you have to go onto CTLLS or DTTLS if you get PTLLS
Yes. PTLLS is NOT a teaching qualification but a preparation for one. All NEW teachers in sector (from 1 Sep 2007) need to achieve PTLLS within 1 year and then either CTLLS (& ATLS status) or DTLLS (& QTLS status) with 5 years.
Is there a progression from CTLLS to DTLLS if you want to top it up and use CTLLS as credit towards DTLLS, or is it simply a case of being an associate or full time tutor and going down the appropriate route. For example, what if someone needed only CTLLS and got this, but then their role changed and they needed DTLLS. Would they have to start again or can they just 'top up' their CTLLS?
PTLLS is the first unit for CTLLS and DTLLS so can be used as credit towards either, no matter whether taken at Level 3 or 4. For any of the CTLLS units to be able to be used towards DTLLS they will need to be at Level 4. Speak to the provider of your intended DTLLS course if you are looking for a top up from CTLLS as it may be possible to use that CTLLS as 'the first year' of your intended DTLLS.
Does at least one person have to have DTLLS in a delivery organisation (you are meant to have that for curriculum development) or can someone with CTLLS be 'the person in charge'?
This is not clear at present and was brought up at the launch meeting for attached brochure. At present it says that a full teaching role includes those responsible for teaching but then says a manager is a non teaching role. However it is status that matters rather than qualification, although you need a qualification to gain status (although there can be other ways depending on experience - again, see attached brochure). Employers need to decide on what levels their staff need. However, if no one in an organisation has QTLS then how can the organisation deliver - check quality etc - what would Ofsteds view be?? This is an area that LLUK are looking to clarify, but remember in the end it is the employers to justify to funders and inspectors!
