Regulated Qualification
Study a Focus Awards qualification with an exact Ofqual record and clear unit requirements.
DEVELOP YOUR TEACHING PRACTICE
About the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training develops practical teaching skills for further education, adult learning, workplace training and independent training settings. Often called CET, it is the qualification that replaced CTLLS.
You will connect learning theory to real sessions: identify learner needs, plan inclusive teaching, select resources, assess progress and use feedback to improve your practice. The course suits trainers building a stronger professional foundation while teaching their own subject.
Unlike an introductory Level 3 Award in Education and Training, CET includes substantial teaching practice and assessed observations. You must have access to suitable learners and a teaching setting.
Compare our Education and Training courses or speak with HHF about your role and placement before enrolling. CET does not itself confer QTS or QTLS.
Who Is This Course For?
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training is suitable for people who can teach real learners and want to develop their planning, delivery and assessment skills.
- Current teachers and tutors: develop inclusive approaches and evaluate your practice.
- Workplace trainers: improve staff learning, session design and feedback.
- Aspiring teachers: study while completing an approved teaching placement or voluntary teaching arrangement.
- Assessors and vocational specialists: build the teaching skills needed to support learners in your subject area.
You do not have to hold a permanent teaching job, but you must be able to meet the teaching practice and observation requirements. If you do not yet have learner access, discuss your proposed setting with HHF before enrolling.
What You Will Learn on the Level 4 CET Course
Through the course, you will learn how to:
- Explain professional responsibilities, teaching boundaries and relationships.
- Identify learners’ starting points, goals and individual support needs.
- Plan inclusive sessions with clear objectives and appropriate assessment.
- Deliver learning activities that encourage participation and achievement.
- Use resources and technology to support access and understanding.
- Assess learning fairly, involve learners and provide constructive feedback.
- Maintain assessment records and use results to plan next steps.
- Develop, adapt and organise resources for your specialist teaching area.
- Evaluate your teaching using observation feedback, learner feedback and reflection.
You will apply these skills to your own sessions and evidence their impact on learners. The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training combines written understanding with demonstrated teaching practice.
Entry Requirements for the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
HHF requires learners to be 19 or over and to hold a vocational or academic qualification at Level 3 or above. You should have suitable subject knowledge and the potential to study and complete written work at Level 4.
- Basic literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, with initial assessment and support where needed.
- Proof of educational qualifications and valid identification, such as a passport or driving licence.
- Internet access and the equipment needed to study and submit teaching evidence.
- Access to real learners and an appropriate teaching setting for practice and observations.
Focus Awards allows centres to set additional entry criteria; the requirements above are HHF’s admission requirements. AET can be useful preparation but is not a universal prerequisite for CET.
Tell us about your qualifications, learner group and proposed teaching setting before payment if you need advice on suitability or reasonable adjustments.
Teaching Practice, Observations and Assessment
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training requires at least 30 hours of real teaching practice. You may use an employed or suitable voluntary teaching arrangement, provided HHF approves the context and evidence. Plan access before enrolling; independent reading and lesson preparation do not replace delivered teaching hours.
You must complete at least three assessed observations totalling at least three hours. Each observation must last at least 30 minutes. Three half-hour observations alone would not meet the three-hour total. Observations should be spaced across the programme to show development.
Teaching may involve individuals or groups unless a selected unit requires a particular context. Agree one-to-one teaching, small groups, mixed settings or online delivery with HHF so the practice can evidence the required criteria. Observed teaching must cover delivery, assessment and use of resources.
Assessment combines written assignments, teaching observations and a portfolio of evidence. Include session plans, resources, assessment records, learner feedback and reflective evaluations. Your evidence must meet every learning outcome and assessment criterion for all six units.
HHF accepts recorded teaching sessions where the assessor approves the evidence arrangements. Agree recording permissions, observation arrangements and observer eligibility in advance. A video without the required assessment records and supporting evidence is insufficient.
- Agree your teaching setting and evidence plan with HHF.
- Study the units and prepare assignments and session plans.
- Complete and record your teaching hours and assessed observations.
- Submit the portfolio, respond to feedback and complete quality assurance.
Online Learning, Course Duration and Tutor Support
Study the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training online around work and personal commitments. HHF provides learning resources, assessment guidance and tutor support while you plan and complete your practical teaching evidence.
Agree your course access period and assessment deadline with HHF before enrolling. Your study plan should allow enough time for reading, written work, 30 teaching hours, three hours of assessed observations and responses to feedback. Completion depends on satisfactory evidence and quality assurance.
HHF provides ongoing email support, with responses typically within 24 hours, and WhatsApp support during office hours, 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday. Tutors guide your understanding and evidence preparation; your submitted work must remain your own.
Keep a weekly study schedule and teaching log, organise your files by unit and seek clarification early. Tell us about learning needs or access requirements so support and reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Find out more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs.
CET Course Fees and Enrolment
The current Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training course fee is shown in the live WooCommerce fee card. For instalment options, contact HHF Training before enrolling.
Before paying, confirm that you meet HHF’s entry requirements and can organise suitable teaching practice and assessed observations. Agree the course access period, submission deadline, optional unit route and any extra arrangements or charges relevant to your circumstances.
After enrolment, complete the learner induction and receive your course access and assessment guidance. Study each unit, submit your written and practical evidence, then respond to assessor feedback. Certification follows successful assessment and required quality assurance.
Refund information: HHF offers a 14-day refund period where course materials have not been accessed and learning has not started, subject to the applicable terms. Read the refund policy and enrolment terms provided during induction before beginning. This does not affect your statutory rights.
VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATION
Certification and Recognition
Successful learners achieve the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF), qualification number 601/6341/0. The qualification is regulated by Ofqual and carries 36 credits.
Your assessor checks your written and teaching evidence against the unit requirements. Internal quality assurance and any applicable awarding-body checks must be completed before certification can be claimed. Completing course materials alone does not achieve the qualification.
CET supports the development of teaching practice in further education, adult learning and workplace training. Acceptance for a particular role or programme is determined by the employer or receiving organisation. It does not itself confer Qualified Teacher Status or QTLS.
Use the Focus Awards and Ofqual links to verify the exact qualification. Ask HHF about certificate issue times and delivery arrangements when discussing your study plan.
Awarding Organisation: Focus Awards
Qualification Number 601/6341/0
Verify this regulated qualification on the official Ofqual Register.
SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY
Why Study with HHF Training?
HHF combines flexible online learning with guidance on the practical evidence you need for CET. You can develop your teaching knowledge while applying it to your subject and learner group.
Benefit from clear unit information, tutor guidance, assessment feedback and an organised route from study through teaching evidence to quality assurance. Ask questions about your setting and observation arrangements before you start.
Learn more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs.
Tutor Guidance
Receive guidance with course content, assignment preparation and teaching evidence throughout your study.
Flexible Online Study
Combine online learning with practical teaching and agree a realistic assessment schedule with HHF.
Progression After the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training helps you develop evidence of practical teaching skills for further education, adult learning and workplace training. Job eligibility depends on your subject expertise and each employer’s requirements.
You may consider the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) or explore the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement if assessing learners fits your role. Entry requirements and any recognition of prior learning must be agreed with the receiving programme.
Please check your intended progression route. If you need this qualification for a teaching programme, employer or professional-status route, confirm that organisation’s current entry requirements before enrolling. CET does not automatically confer QTS or QTLS.
GET ANSWERS
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training FAQs
Answers about CET recognition, units, teaching practice, observations, online learning and course fees.
Yes. HHF offers the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF), qualification number 601/6341/0. You can check the exact award on the Ofqual qualification register. Acceptance for a specific job or progression route is decided by the receiving organisation.
HHF’s route includes six units: five mandatory units worth 21 credits and Developing, using and organising resources in a specialist area, worth 15 credits. The total is 36 credits, with 140 guided learning hours and 360 hours of total qualification time. Assessment uses written assignments and a portfolio of practical teaching evidence.
You need access to real learners for at least 30 hours of teaching practice. This may be through suitable paid employment or an approved voluntary placement. Agree your teaching setting, subject, learners and observation arrangements with HHF before enrolling. The course is not completed through theory alone.
You must complete at least three assessed teaching observations totalling a minimum of three hours. Each observation must last at least 30 minutes, and observations should be spaced across the programme. Three 30-minute observations alone do not meet the three-hour total. HHF must approve your observer and evidence arrangements.
The knowledge-based learning and assignment preparation can be studied online, alongside teaching practice with real learners. Recorded observation evidence may be used where HHF has approved the arrangements and learner permissions. Tutor support is available by email, typically within 24 hours, and WhatsApp from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
AET is not a universal prerequisite for CET. HHF’s entry requirements include being aged 19 or over, an appropriate Level 3 vocational or academic qualification, and suitable English, maths and ICT skills. If you already hold the matching Roles, responsibilities and relationships unit H/505/0053, HHF can assess whether credit transfer is appropriate. AET micro-teaching does not replace CET teaching practice.
The current HHF course fee is shown in the live course banner. Completion depends on your study schedule, teaching opportunities and assessment progress. Confirm your learning access period, final submission deadline, optional-unit route and any additional arrangements with HHF before enrolling. The qualification’s 360 hours of total qualification time is an estimate of learning workload, not a fixed calendar duration.
No. Completing the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training does not automatically confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS). It can support further study and teaching development, but each programme, employer or professional-status route sets its own requirements. Check your intended progression route before enrolling.