Career Technical Education - Teaching Outlook

Post Secondary School {Community Colleges}:

Nature of Work:

Provide instruction for occupations that require specialized training, but not usually a 4-year degree.  They may teach classes in welding, dental hygienic, automotive technicians, etc.  Classes often are taught in an industrial or laboratory setting where students are provided hands-on experience.  Increasingly, career and technical education teachers are integrating academic and vocational curriculum so that students obtain a variety of skills that can be applied on the job.  In addition, community college instructors play a key role in students' transition from school to work by helping to establish internship programs for students and by facilitating contact between students and prospective employers.

Work Environment:

Most postsecondary teachers have flexible schedules.  They must be present for classes, usually 12-16 hours per week, and for faculty and committee meetings.  Most establish regular office hours for student consultations, usually 3-6 hours per week.  Otherwise, teachers are free to decide when and where they will work, and how much time to devote to course preparation, grading, study, research, and other activities.  Most colleges require teachers to work 10 months of the year, which allows them time during the summer and school holidays to teach additional courses, travel, or pursue nonacademic interests.

Tasks & Skills:

Postsecondary teachers should communicate and relate well with students, enjoy working with them, and be able to motivate them.  They should have inquiring and analytical minds, and a strong desire to pursue and disseminate knowledge.  Additionally, they must be self-motivated and able to work in an environment in which they receive little direct supervision.  Other tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

Arrange for lectures by experts in designated fields.	Determine training needs of students or workers.
Participate in conferences, seminars, and training    sessions to keep abreast of development in the field;    and integrate relevant information into training programs.	Supervise independent or group projects, field    placements, laboratory work, or other training.
Select and assemble books, materials, supplies, and    equipment for training courses or projects.	Prepare reports and maintain records such as student    grades, attendance rolls, and training activity details.
Develop teaching aides such as instructional software,    multimedia visual aids, or study materials.	Administer oral, written, or performance tests in order to    measure progress and to evaluate training effectiveness.
Integrate academic and vocational curricula so that    students can obtain a variety of skills.	Present lectures and conduct discussions to increase    students' knowledge and competence, using visual aids    such as graphs, charts, videotapes, and slides.
Prepare outlines of instructional programs and training    schedules, and establish course goals.	Observe and evaluate students' work to determine    progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for    improvement.
Develop curricula and plan course content and method    of instruction.	Supervise and Monitor students' use of tools and    equipment.

Most postsecondary teachers extensively use computer technology, including the Internet, e-mail, and software programs.  They may use computers in the classroom as teaching aides and may post coursed content, class notes, class schedules, and other information on the Internet.  Teachers should communicate and relate well with students, enjoy working with them, and be able to motivate them.  They should have inquiring and analytical minds, and a strong desire to pursue and disseminate knowledge.  Additionally, they must be self-motivated and able to work in an environment in which they receive little direct supervision.

Training & Education:

Training and education requirements vary by state and subject.  The minimum qualifications for teaching in a California Community College in CTE areas are any associate degree plus six years of work experience or any bachelor's degree plus two years of work experience.  Requirements may vary by community college for full-time tenure opportunities, but many require a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Wages:

While there is not a lot of information available regarding this occupation, during the first quarter of 2007 the mean average in California for postsecondary teachers was $77,875. 
{Note: The salary varies according to educational background and years of work-related experience.

Outlook:

During 2006, there were approximately 13,100 people employed in this field in California.  It is estimated that in 2016 there will be 16,700 employed in California.  This represents an increase of 360 new positions each year.  Additionally, 300 jobs per year will become available due to employee turnover.

Information was taken from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Website at http://www.bls.gov and the California Career Zone Website at http://www.cacareerzone.com.