No qualifications required, merely thorough knowledge of the subject, skills if necessary and an ability and willingness to transfer that knowledge.

It's true that no formal qualifications are required to train people but not everybody has the ability to teach just because they have relevant industry knowledge. There's a world of difference between being 'knowing your stuff' and being able to pass that on. A teaching qualification will give you insight into different learning styles and how to put a course together (whether it be a 15 minute toolbox talk to a 4 day course etc..) in a structured and informed way, plus how to plan lessons etc. Nothing rattles me more than incompetent teaching, it's completely pointless if your students/delegates learn nothing due to the inability to pass on knowledge. Frankly anyone can stand and read a Powerpoint presentation and I've seen plenty of trainers who think that's all there is to it. My advice is to get yourself on a PTLLS course if you can, even if you don't necessarily need it, it will be invaluable.

I was also under the impression that a minimum of Level 3 PTLSS was required for the delivery of certain training to adults...in any event this qualification demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of the key teaching skills and would go a long way to satisfying any question relating to tutor competency if challenged

No formal qualification is required for teaching at educational establishments as far as I am aware. I regularly lecture for PgC and MSc courses at two UK universities and have also lectured at universities overseas. In fact, next week I am teaching trainee dermatologists on a doctorate course in Barcelona. However, I do agree that if you have never done this then it would make sense to at least undergo some form of training on how to pass on the knowledge in a way that course participants can absorb and benefit from - and enjoy the experience. My teaching on this was many years ago from a very experienced lecturer/presenter. it consisted of him explaining to me that the best way to approach this was to look at how actors behaved on stage. "If you are playing Hamlet you need to make the audience believe that you are that person and that where you are is the real castle.... If you can hold your audience in the same way when teaching your subject, then you will be successful". The most important element is enthusiasm. I have experienced many lectures where the presenter certainly had extensive knowledge, but no enthusiasm. Despite using standard techniques the fact that he was obviously not really enjoying what he was doing made it very uninteresting and difficult to follow. Chris