Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Build advanced teaching skills and confidence with a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification. Study online with expert tutor support, complete your teaching practice and observations, and progress your career in further education, adult learning, and workplace training.
At a Glance
- Awarding body: iCQ (RQF Level 4)
- Study mode: Online / distance learning with tutor support
- Start dates: Flexible – enrol anytime
- Assessment: Written assignments, teaching practice and observations, portfolio of evidence
- Teaching practice: Required (observed teaching in a real learning environment)
- Location: Wales & UK-wide (online delivery with workplace observations/video options)
- Funding: Employer sponsorship and Welsh options (e.g. ReAct+) may apply
- Price: £834 (registration, assessment and certification included)
Enrol now
Book a 15-minute advice call
Who this course is for
- Practitioners delivering or preparing to deliver learning in FE, adult/community learning, skills and workplace training
- AET (or equivalent) holders ready to deepen planning, delivery and assessment practice
- Subject experts who train colleagues and need an accredited teaching qualification
- Career changers seeking a credible route into teaching and training
Entry requirements:
- Good written English and basic digital skills
- Access to a suitable teaching placement or role to meet the teaching practice requirement
- Level 3 subject knowledge is recommended. AET (Level 3) or equivalent prior learning is helpful.
What you’ll learn (Units)
The qualification includes five mandatory units covering teaching responsibilities, planning, delivery, assessment and the effective use of learning resources.
Learners must also complete optional units totalling at least 15 credits, selected in accordance with the qualification requirements and their professional development needs.
Your tutor will discuss the available optional units and appropriate qualification pathway during induction.
- Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training
- Planning to Meet the Needs of Learners in Education and Training
- Delivering Education and Training
- Assessing Learners in Education and Training
- Using Resources for Education and Training
You’ll develop advanced planning, inclusive teaching strategies, assessment for learning, feedback, professional boundaries and reflective practice.
Teaching Practice and Observations
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) includes a practical teaching component designed to develop and demonstrate your competence in planning, delivering and evaluating learning.
To complete the qualification, learners are required to undertake:
- 30 hours of teaching practice in a suitable, genuine teaching or training environment.
- Three assessed teaching observations carried out in accordance with the qualification and awarding organisation’s requirements.
- Supporting teaching evidence, including lesson plans, schemes of work, teaching resources, assessment records and reflective evaluations.
Workplace Teaching Observations and Expert Witnesses
Where appropriate, teaching observations may be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced workplace mentor acting as an expert witness, subject to Karen Blake Coaching’s approval and the awarding organisation’s assessment requirements.
Expert witnesses should hold a relevant teaching qualification, such as the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET), or an accepted equivalent, and have sufficient professional experience to evaluate teaching practice.
Before observations take place, Karen Blake Coaching will review the proposed expert witness’s qualifications and professional competence and provide guidance on the observation documentation and evidence requirements.
The completed observation reports and supporting evidence will be reviewed by KBC’s assessor to determine whether the qualification assessment criteria have been met.
Important: Expert witness arrangements must be agreed with Karen Blake Coaching before teaching observations take place.
Flexible Assessment Arrangements
Depending on your teaching environment and individual circumstances, observations may be arranged through an approved workplace observer or other suitable assessment arrangements.
Supporting evidence, including witness testimony, may be considered where permitted by the awarding organisation’s requirements.
Important: Learners must have access to a suitable teaching or training environment. All teaching observations and supporting evidence must meet iCQ’s assessment requirements. Please contact Karen Blake Coaching before enrolling if you’re unsure whether your teaching arrangements are suitable.
How the course is delivered
- Flexible online study via our secure platform (iLearner)
- Named assessor/tutor with clear milestones and feedback
- Structured assignment workbooks and exemplars
- Support with lesson planning, resources and assessment evidence
- Typical completion: 6 – 9 months (depends on teaching timetable and study time)
Assessment & certification
- Written tasks mapped to each unit
- Teaching practice documentation (schemes of work, lesson plans, resources)
- Observed teaching with feedback and reflections
- Portfolio of evidence and internal quality assurance
- On completion you’ll achieve the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF)
Progression routes
- Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
- Specialist routes: Assessor (CAVA), IQA, coaching & mentoring, safeguarding, digital teaching skills
Funding & employer support
Many learners are funded by their employer or through Welsh support schemes (e.g. ReAct+). We can provide quotes and an information pack to support funding applications.
Team bookings available – we can tailor support and observation planning for organisations.
Why study CET with Karen Blake Coaching?
- Approved UK training centre: iCQ Registered Centre, WJEC Registered Centre, UKRLP-listed
- Experienced assessors with FE, work-based learning and quality assurance backgrounds
- Flexible starts, responsive marking, and practical guidance on observations and evidence
- Wales & UK-wide delivery, with funding advice where eligible
Course fee
Price: £834 (includes learner registration, standard assessment and certification).
Payment options: Eligible customers can choose PayPal Pay in 3 at checkout, subject to approval.
FAQs
1. Do I need a teaching placement for CET?
Yes. CET requires teaching practice in a real learning environment, with observed sessions.
2. Can teaching observations be completed remotely?
Teaching observations may be arranged through a suitably qualified workplace expert witness or other approved assessment arrangements.
Remote or recorded observations may also be considered where they meet iCQ’s assessment requirements.
All observation arrangements must be agreed with Karen Blake Coaching before the assessment takes place.
3. How long does CET take?
Most learners can expect to complete the Level 4 CET qualification within 6–9 months. Completion times vary depending on individual circumstances, teaching practice opportunities and assessment progress.
4. Do I need the AET first?
AET (or equivalent experience) is recommended but not always mandatory. We’ll confirm suitability during advice/enrolment.
5. What support do I receive?
A named assessor, clear assignment workbooks, resource templates, and step-by-step guidance on planning, evidence and observations.
6. What can I progress to after CET?
The Level 5 DET, or specialist routes such as Assessor (CAVA) and IQA.
