Feeling like you’ve hit a glass ceiling in your current role? It’s exhausting to have years of expertise in your head but no “official” paper to prove you can teach it to others. You watch less experienced colleagues get promoted or launch lucrative training side-hustles, simply because they have the right certification.
You aren’t alone. Most industry experts remain stuck because the path to qualification feels overwhelming due to academic jargon and bureaucracy.
The Level 3 Award in Education & Training (AET), formerly known as PTLLS, is an entry-level, best-regulated qualification designed to turn subject matter experts into certified teachers and trainers. It requires no prior teaching experience, covers three core units of instructional theory, and can be completed via flexible online or classroom-based study in as little as three days.
At Advance Training Academy, we strip away the confusion. We don’t just hand you a textbook; we mentor you from your first module to your final micro-teach session, ensuring you walk away not just certified, but confident.
What is the Level 3: Award in Education & Training (AET / PTLLS) Course?
Think of the Level 3 AET as your “license to teach” in the adult education sector. Whether you are a beauty therapist wanting to open an academy, a security expert looking to train guards, or a corporate professional aiming to lead workshops, this is the foundational requirement.
It is a 12-credit QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) qualification that demonstrates your ability to plan lessons, engage diverse learners, and assess progress legally and effectively.
Instructor’s Insight:
Many people still search for “PTLLS.” Note that AET and PTLLS are the same qualification. The name changed, but the goal remains the same: to verify your competence as a beginner teacher. If you see a job asking for PTLLS, your Level 3 AET certificate is the modern standard they accept.
Core Components & Curriculum
The course is streamlined into three powerful units. We have designed these to be practical, moving you away from dry theory and into real-world application.
| Unit Title | What You Will Master | Assessment Method |
| Unit 1: Roles, Responsibilities & Relationships | Understanding legal boundaries, equality, diversity, and how to maintain a safe learning environment. | Written Assignment |
| Unit 2: Inclusive Teaching & Learning Approaches | The “how-to” of teaching. You will learn to create lesson plans that cater to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. | Micro-Teach Session |
| Unit 3: Understanding Assessment | How to give feedback that helps students grow, and how to track progress using formal and informal assessment methods. | Written Assignment |
Who is This Course For?
If you have a skill and a passion to share it, you are 90% of the way there. The Level 3 AET is specifically engineered for:
- Aspiring Educators: Individuals with no prior teaching experience who want to work in Further Education (FE) colleges.
- Industry Professionals: Hairdressers, construction managers, or paramedics wanting to transition into training roles.
- Private Tutors & Coaches: Those needing accreditation to legitimize their private courses and increase their rates.
- Corporate Trainers: HR staff or team leads who need to deliver internal training that actually sticks.
Pro Tip:
You must be at least 18 years old to enroll. While you don’t need a degree, basic functional skills in Numeracy, Literacy, and ICT are required to navigate the coursework.
The “Hidden” Obstacles (And How We Smash Them)
We know what is really holding you back. It’s not the price—it’s the fear of the unknown.
“I’m terrified of public speaking.”
This is the #1 fear. Our course includes a Micro-Teach Session—a short, 15-minute teaching demonstration. But here is the good news: At Advance Training Academy, you don’t have to do this in front of a stadium of strangers. You can often record your session or perform it via Zoom with a small, supportive group of peers who are just as nervous as you are.
“I haven’t written an essay in 20 years.”
You don’t need to be Shakespeare. Our assessments are competency-based. We aren’t looking for flowery language; we are looking for understanding. Our tutors provide examples and drafts to guide your writing structure, so you never stare at a blank page.
Why Choose Advance Training Academy?
There are dozens of providers, but we focus on Commercial Intent—getting you hired, not just passed.
- Speed of Certification: We know you need this for a job interview yesterday. Once your portfolio is submitted, we strive to process certificates in approximately 2-3 weeks.
- Maximum Flexibility: Choose your battleground.
- Classroom-Based: 3 days of intensive, face-to-face mentorship.
- Online/Distance: Self-paced study with up to 12 weeks of access.
- Zoom: Live interaction from your living room.
- Supportive Environment: We don’t use robots. You get access to expert tutors who provide real feedback. We foster a community where you can collaborate with fellow learners, networking before you even graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Level 3 AET recognized nationally?
Yes. It is an best-regulated qualification recognized by colleges, training centers, and insurance companies across the UK.
Do I need a placement in a school to do this?
No. Unlike higher-level teaching degrees, the Level 3 AET does not require a teaching placement. Your micro-teach is done during the course.
Can I teach in a university with this award?
Generally, no. Universities require higher qualifications (Level 5-7). This award is for Further Education, private training, and adult skills sectors.
How long does the course take to complete?
It varies. Classroom courses take 3 days. Online learners usually finish in 2-4 weeks, though you have up to 12 weeks if you need it.
Is there a final exam?
No. You are assessed via a portfolio of written tasks and your practical micro-teach session. There is no sit-down written exam.
Stop Thinking, Start Teaching!
Where do you want to be in three months?
Still scrolling through job boards, frustrated that you don’t meet the criteria? Or standing in a classroom (or a Zoom room), commanding respect, sharing your passion, and earning the rate you deserve?
You have been thinking about this transition for a while, haven’t you? Every day you wait is a day of lost income and lost impact. The administration is simple, the support is ready, and the path is clear. We handle the paperwork; you just bring the passion.
Other useful websites
Home | The Society for Education and Training (SET)
Family & Education | Latest News & Updates | BBC News
Education news, opinion and guides | The Guardian
Find courses by location or by training provider – Find teacher training courses – GOV.UK
Teacher Training | School Centred Approach – The National Institute of Teaching
Security Industry Authority – GOV.UK
HSE: Information about health and safety at work
Vocational Education and Apprenticeships | City & Guilds
Useful websites for students | TopUniversitiesFree educational websites for children and young people | Greater London Fostering