Several years? A pgce takes a year in the UK

PGCE is a post graduate course similar at the same academic level as the final year of an Honours degree, so I added the years to obtain the degree.
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training/postgraduate-routes-teaching#

Of course one could go the PTLLS - CTLLS - DTLLS route which would take a year but then one still needs a three year subject based qualification or apparently substantial professional experience which adds even more years.

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storyCode=6175365

As to being a better environment, yes it's debatable, but then working for a Training Centre corporation, living in that corporation's shared hovel plus perhaps being subject to the whims of a Khao San Road qualified DOS and with an Employment Contract written in invisible ink might make any environment better.