From expert to educator: What the Level 3 Award in Education and Training really teaches

When I first completed my Level 3 Award in Education and Training, I expected to learn how to teach.

What I didn't expect was to become fascinated by how people learn.

Like many people moving into training, I came from industry. I had years of experience, knew my subject inside out and wanted to share that knowledge with others. I quickly realised that being an expert, being able to teach, and being able to design meaningful learning are three very different things.

That is exactly why qualifications like the Level 3 Award in Education and Training are so valuable. They don't just help you stand in front of a room with confidence. They change the way you think about learning altogether.

Learning isn't about remembering facts

One of the biggest concepts that stayed with me from my teacher training was Bloom's Taxonomy.

If you've worked with us before, you'll know I'm a bit of a Bloom's nerd. I even wrote recently about how Bloom's has evolved into the digital world, but the underlying principle hasn't changed.

Learning should build.

It should start with knowledge and understanding, but it should never end there.

The goal is to help people apply what they know, analyse situations, evaluate decisions and eventually create something for themselves.

That is where learning has real impact.

A paper aeroplane explains it perfectly

Imagine you're teaching somebody how to make a paper aeroplane.

At the first stage, they might simply remember they need a piece of paper.

Next, they understand the sequence of folds.

They then apply that knowledge by following instructions and successfully making their first plane.

For many training programmes, that's where the learning stops.

But what happens next is far more interesting.

Can they look at somebody else's aeroplane and analyse why it doesn't fly properly?

Can they evaluate two different designs and explain which one works best?

Can they create their own design and improve it through testing?

That is the journey Bloom's encourages us to take learners on.

It's a simple example, but the same principle applies whether you're teaching customer service, safeguarding, leadership, health and safety or how to deliver the perfect flat white.

Our goal should never be to help somebody remember information for next week's assessment.

It should be to help them remember it, understand it and use it five years from now.

Great trainers think differently

One of the biggest shifts that happened for me during my teacher training was moving away from thinking about what I wanted to teach and instead thinking about what I wanted learners to be able to do.

It's a subtle difference, but it changes everything.

Instead of asking, "What content do I need to cover?" you start asking, "How will I know someone can apply this in the real world?"

That mindset still shapes everything Laura and I build today.

Whether we're designing onboarding programmes, compliance courses or accredited learning, we always start with the outcome.

What should learners be confident enough to do when they finish?

Everything else follows from there.

Learning theories don't belong in textbooks

Bloom's is just one of the theories we continue to use every day.

Concepts like intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, scaffolding and spiral curriculum aren't things we learned for an assignment and then forgot about.

They underpin every piece of learning we design.

They help us decide when to introduce new concepts, when to revisit them, when to challenge learners and when to give them the opportunity to practise.

Good learning design isn't about making something look impressive.

It's about giving people the best possible chance of remembering, applying and building on what they've learned.

What this means for our Level 3 Award in Education and Training

This is exactly why we're so excited to be launching our own Highfield Level 3 Award in Education and Training later this year.

We don't want learners to simply read about teaching theories and write assignments on them.

Our programme has been designed using the same principles we'll be teaching.

Essential knowledge will be introduced through interactive eLearning before learners attend workshops where they'll discuss ideas, solve problems together and apply what they've learned through practical activities and scenarios.

The qualification will culminate in a micro-teach, giving everyone the opportunity to plan, deliver and receive feedback on their own teaching in a supportive environment.

We believe that's how confidence is built.

Not by reading about teaching, but by doing it.

Preparing trainers for modern learning

Teaching is changing.

AI can now help learners summarise theories, structure assignments and find information in seconds. That isn't something to fear, but it does mean trainers need to think differently about how they assess understanding.

Professional discussions, demonstrations, observations, practical activities and real-world application are becoming increasingly important because they ask learners to explain their thinking, justify decisions and demonstrate genuine competence.

That is something we'll be exploring throughout the programme.

Being a great trainer today isn't just about understanding learning theory. It's about knowing how to apply it in a world where information has never been easier to access.

Becoming an educator

Looking back, completing my Level 3 Award in Education and Training set me on a path I never expected.

It sparked a fascination with learning that led me on to complete my Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications and, ultimately, to build a career in learning design.

It's also one of the reasons we believe so strongly that organisations should own their own training.

Every business already has experts.

The right teacher training gives those experts the confidence and skills to become educators.

If you're thinking about delivering workplace training, moving into further education or developing trainers within your organisation, we'd love to welcome you onto one of our upcoming Highfield Level 3 Award in Education and Training cohorts.

Because great training doesn't start with content.

It starts with understanding how people learn.

Check out our train the trainer page to learn more about our course