Description
Qualification Overview
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) is a nationally recognised teaching qualification designed for individuals working in, or preparing to enter, adult education, further education, community learning and workplace training.
This Level 4 CET course builds on essential teaching and training skills, developing your ability to plan inclusive learning, deliver engaging sessions, assess learner progress and evaluate your professional practice.
Awarded by iCQ Awards and delivered by Karen Blake Coaching, an iCQ Registered Centre, the qualification combines flexible online distance learning with practical teaching experience.
You’ll receive personalised tutor support, structured learning resources and constructive feedback through our secure iLearner platform.
Practical teaching requirement: Learners must have access to a suitable teaching or training environment to complete 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed teaching observations. Suitable workplace expert witness arrangements may be accepted, subject to KBC approval and the awarding organisation’s assessment requirements.
What You’ll Learn
During your Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET), you’ll develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to plan, deliver, assess and evaluate learning effectively.
You’ll learn how to:
- Plan inclusive learning: Develop schemes of work and lesson plans that meet individual learner needs.
- Apply teaching and learning principles: Use appropriate teaching methods, communication strategies and learning theories to support engagement.
- Deliver effective learning sessions: Develop confidence in facilitating learning and creating inclusive learning environments.
- Assess learner progress: Select appropriate assessment methods, evaluate learning and provide constructive feedback.
- Use teaching resources effectively: Develop and adapt learning materials to support different learning needs.
- Reflect on professional practice: Evaluate your teaching performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Units You’ll Complete
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training consists of five mandatory units covering teaching responsibilities, planning, delivery, assessment and the effective use of learning resources.
These include:
- 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
In addition to the mandatory units, learners must 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.
Course Delivery and Assessment
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) combines flexible online distance learning with practical teaching experience.
You’ll study through Karen Blake Coaching’s secure iLearner platform, where you can access learning materials, submit assignments and receive personalised tutor feedback.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Assessment includes:
- Written assignments: Demonstrate your understanding of teaching, learning, assessment and professional practice.
- Teaching practice: Complete a minimum of 30 hours of teaching in a suitable education or training environment.
- Three assessed teaching observations: Demonstrate your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate effective learning sessions.
- Teaching portfolio: Compile lesson plans, schemes of work, teaching resources, assessment records and reflective evaluations.
- Professional reflection: Evaluate your teaching practice and identify areas for continued professional development.
Workplace Observations and Expert Witnesses
Where appropriate, teaching observations may be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced workplace mentor acting as an expert witness.
Expert witnesses should hold a relevant teaching qualification, such as the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET), or an accepted equivalent, and demonstrate appropriate professional competence.
Karen Blake Coaching will review the proposed expert witness’s qualifications and suitability before observations are arranged.
Completed observation reports and supporting evidence will be reviewed by KBC’s assessor to determine whether the qualification assessment criteria have been met.
Important: Workplace expert witness arrangements must be approved in advance and meet iCQ Awards’ assessment requirements.
Flexible Learning and Tutor Support
Throughout your qualification, you’ll benefit from:
- Personalised tutor guidance: Individual advice, support and constructive feedback.
- Structured learning resources: Assignment workbooks, planning templates and example materials.
- Secure iLearner platform: Access learning materials, submit evidence and monitor your progress.
- Assessment planning support: Guidance on preparing teaching practice evidence and arranging suitable observations.
- Flexible study: Balance your qualification with work and personal commitments.
Typical completion time: 6 – 9 months, depending on individual study commitments, teaching practice opportunities and assessment progress.
Important Teaching Practice Requirements
Learners must have access to a suitable teaching or training environment to complete the required 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed observations.
Karen Blake Coaching provides guidance on the assessment requirements but does not guarantee teaching placements or workplace observers.
If you’re unsure whether your teaching arrangements are suitable, please contact us before enrolling.
All teaching practice evidence and observation arrangements must comply with the qualification and awarding organisation’s current assessment requirements.
Qualification Details
Qualification: iCQ Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Qualification number: 601/6200/4
Awarding organisation: iCQ Awards
Qualification level: Level 4
Total credits: 36
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 360 hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 140 hours
Typical completion time: 6–9 months, depending on individual study commitments, teaching practice opportunities and assessment progress.
Delivery method: Flexible online distance learning with personalised tutor support and practical teaching experience.
Assessment: Written assignments, a portfolio of evidence, 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed teaching observations.
Entry requirements: Access to a suitable teaching or training environment is essential. Previous completion of the Level 3 AET is helpful but not necessarily mandatory.
Course fee: £834, including learner registration, standard assessment and certification.
Payment options: Secure online payment, with PayPal Pay in 3 available to eligible customers, subject to approval.
Who This Course Is For
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) is suitable for individuals who are currently teaching or training, or preparing to develop their careers in further education, adult learning and workplace training.
This qualification is particularly relevant for:
- Existing tutors and trainers looking to develop their teaching, planning and assessment skills.
- Adult and community learning practitioners delivering learning in further education, community settings or vocational training.
- Workplace trainers and instructors responsible for delivering structured training and developing staff skills.
- Level 3 AET holders seeking to progress towards a higher-level teaching qualification.
- Experienced industry professionals looking to share their specialist knowledge through teaching or training.
- Career changers preparing to move into teaching, training or facilitation roles.
Important: Learners must have access to a suitable teaching or training environment to complete the required teaching practice and observations.
Not Sure Which Teaching Qualification Is Right for You?
If you’re deciding between AET, CET, Assessor or IQA qualifications, our qualification comparison guide explains the different pathways to help you choose the most suitable option.
Why Choose Karen Blake Coaching?
At Karen Blake Coaching, we combine flexible online learning with personalised tutor support to help learners develop their teaching skills and professional confidence.
- iCQ Registered Centre: Study towards a nationally recognised teaching qualification awarded by iCQ Awards.
- Experienced Tutor Support: Receive guidance from experienced education, training and assessment professionals.
- Flexible Online Learning: Access learning materials and complete assignments alongside your work and personal commitments.
- Personalised Feedback: Benefit from individual advice, assessment guidance and constructive feedback throughout your qualification.
- Secure iLearner Platform: Access structured learning resources, submit evidence and monitor your progress online.
- Practical Teaching Support: Receive guidance on lesson planning, teaching practice evidence and observation arrangements.
- Professional Progression: Develop teaching skills that can support progression into further education, vocational training and higher-level qualifications.
Progression and Career Pathways
Completing the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) can support your professional development and open opportunities within further education, adult learning and workplace training.
Depending on your experience, subject knowledge and career goals, you may be able to:
- Progress to higher-level teaching qualifications, including the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET), subject to current qualification availability and entry requirements.
- Explore teaching and training roles within further education, adult learning, community education and vocational training.
- Develop your workplace training career by delivering structured learning and supporting staff development.
- Deliver vocational or accredited training in your area of occupational expertise, subject to the relevant provider and awarding organisation requirements.
- Develop specialist assessment skills through the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).
- Explore professional development opportunities in mentoring, coaching and internal quality assurance.
The Level 4 CET provides a foundation for further professional development but does not automatically confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or guarantee employment in a teaching role.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to complete the Level 3 AET before enrolling on CET?
No. Although the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) provides a useful foundation, it is not necessarily a mandatory entry requirement for the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET).
Applicants should have suitable subject knowledge and access to opportunities to undertake practical teaching activities. Karen Blake Coaching can discuss your experience and suitability before enrolment.
2. How long does the Level 4 CET qualification take to complete?
The typical completion time is 6 – 9 months, depending on your study commitments, access to teaching opportunities and progress with assignments and practical assessments.
Our flexible distance-learning approach allows you to balance your qualification with work and personal responsibilities.
3. Can I complete the Level 4 CET course entirely online?
The knowledge-based elements of the qualification are delivered through flexible online distance learning using our secure iLearner platform.
However, you must also complete practical teaching activities in a genuine education or training environment, including 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed observations.
Your tutor will discuss suitable arrangements for completing the practical elements.
4. Do I need access to a teaching placement or teaching role?
Yes. You must have access to a suitable teaching or training environment to complete the required practical teaching hours and observations.
This may be through an existing teaching role or another appropriate teaching opportunity.
Karen Blake Coaching provides guidance on the evidence requirements but does not guarantee teaching placements.
If you’re unsure whether your circumstances are suitable, please contact us before enrolling.
5. Can my workplace mentor complete my teaching observations?
A suitably qualified and experienced workplace mentor may be able to act as an expert witness for your teaching practice.
For example, a workplace mentor holding a relevant teaching qualification, such as the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET), may be considered.
Karen Blake Coaching must review and approve the proposed expert witness’s qualifications and professional competence before observations take place.
All expert witness arrangements and observation evidence must meet iCQ Awards’ assessment requirements.
6. How is the Level 4 CET qualification assessed?
Assessment includes written assignments, reflective accounts, practical teaching evidence and a portfolio demonstrating your teaching competence.
You must also complete 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed teaching observations under KBC’s current delivery arrangements.
Your portfolio may include schemes of work, lesson plans, teaching resources, assessment records, observation reports and reflective evaluations.
7. Can I pay for the Level 4 CET course in instalments?
Yes. Eligible customers can select PayPal Pay in 3 at checkout, allowing them to spread the £834 course fee across three interest-free payments, subject to PayPal’s eligibility criteria and approval.
Alternatively, you can pay the full course fee securely when enrolling.
Employer-funded enrolments are also welcome. Please contact Karen Blake Coaching if your organisation requires a quotation.
8. What can I do after completing the Level 4 CET qualification?
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training can support progression into teaching and training roles within further education, adult learning, workplace training and vocational education, depending on individual experience and employer requirements.
Learners may also wish to progress towards a higher-level teaching qualification or explore specialist qualifications in assessment and internal quality assurance.
Our qualification comparison guide provides further information about teaching, assessment and quality assurance pathways.
Take the Next Step in Your Teaching Career
Ready to develop your teaching skills and gain a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification?
Enrol on the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) with Karen Blake Coaching and benefit from flexible online learning, personalised tutor support and practical teaching guidance.
Ready to enrol?
If you have access to a suitable teaching or training environment, select Add to Basket above to enrol securely.
Course fee: £834, including learner registration, standard assessment and certification.
Eligible customers can choose PayPal Pay in 3 at checkout, subject to PayPal’s eligibility criteria and approval.
Unsure whether you meet the teaching practice requirements?
If you’re unsure how to complete the required 30 hours of teaching practice and three assessed observations, please contact us before purchasing.
We can discuss your circumstances, explain the assessment requirements and explore whether your existing teaching environment or proposed workplace expert witness arrangements are suitable.
Enquiring on behalf of an organisation?
We welcome enquiries from employers and training providers looking to develop their staff’s teaching and training skills.
We can provide information about qualification requirements, enrolment arrangements and employer-funded training.
Contact Karen Blake Coaching to discuss your requirements.
Develop your professional teaching skills with flexible learning and personalised support.
