Vocational Education Teachers teach specific occupational skills in secondary and postsecondary schools, trade union programs, and industrial settings. They may teach at the prevocational (non-wage earning) level and/or vocational (wage earning) level.

JOB DUTIES

Vocational Education Teachers may:

Organize programs of practical and technical instruction

Demonstrate skills required for an occupation

Instruct students in the knowledge and skills required in a specific occupation or occupational field and on the codes and regulations related to the trade

Plan and supervise the use of skills in work settings such as business and industrial shops and school laboratories

Order supplies and equipment

Test and evaluate students

Keep up to date on educational and technical trends

Advise students, parents, and employers

Work with advisory committees from business, industry, labor, and service organizations and with youth groups

Refer students to job placement services or provide job placement

Click here to watch a Vocational Education Teachers at work!

Depending on the specialty, the tools, equipment, and materials used by Vocational Educators may include: 

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Most Vocational Education Teachers in Michigan specialize in these areas:

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE TEACHERS teach courses in agribusiness; agricultural supplies, services, and production; farm equipment; soil management; animal and plant science; ornamental horticulture; forestry, and management of natural resources in recreation areas.

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION TEACHERS teach courses in retailing, marketing, merchandising, advertising, and related insurance and financial support needed to promote such products as apparel and accessories, hotels and other lodging, and food distribution.

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL HEALTH TEACHERS prepare students for occupational groups such as dental and medical assisting, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, and mental, community, and environmental health.

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL HOME ECONOMICS TEACHERS instruct students in courses in child development, consumer economics, family relationships and health, foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles, clothing management, child care services, food management, and institutional home management.

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL BUSINESS AND OFFICE EDUCATION TEACHERS instruct in accounting, office machine operation, data entry, general office, secretarial, court reporting, office management, typing, and word processing.

097.221-010 TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS instruct students in occupational areas such as air conditioning, appliance repair, auto body repair, auto mechanics, commercial art and photography, drafting, machine tools, construction trades, food preparation, printing, plastics, custodial services, welding, and cosmetology.

097.221-010 TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS instruct in technologies such as automotive, health related, computer numerical control, robotics, chemical, electrical and electronic, industrial, data processing, and environmental control.

097.221-010 VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS organize programs in industrial settings on such topics as safety precautions, codes, regulations, and maintenance of tools and equipment.

094.227-026 VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEACHERS instruct handicapped students in one or more vocational skills.

166.227-010 TRAINING REPRESENTATIVES prepare and conduct training programs for employees in industry, commerce, service, or government.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Vocational Education Teachers usually work alone with classes or in a team teaching situation and are directly responsible to the principal, training supervisor, or department chairperson. Most work is done in classrooms, offices, and laboratories which are usually well lighted, well ventilated, and heated. Because vocational schools attempt to create an actual occupational setting, some, such as industrial labs, may be hazardous as well as dusty and noisy. Safety procedures must be followed when working.

Depending on the type of institution, Vocational Education Teachers usually work a 32- to 40-hour week, Monday through Friday. In community colleges, universities and skill centers, classrooms or shop hours will vary according to negotiated contracts from 18 hours (full time) upward. However, depending on the amount of lesson preparation required, many more hours of work may be necessary. Classes may also be scheduled during the late evening and on Saturday in some postsecondary and adult education programs. In addition to regular daily classroom instruction, Teachers may oversee activities related to their teaching area; counsel students and/or parents; take part in faculty activities; and visit local businesses, industries, high schools, and colleges.

Teachers may belong to one or more professional associations, such as The National Education Association and The American Vocational Association. Many also belong to associations directly related to their occupational specialty. In Michigan, Teachers usually become members of the Michigan Federation of Teachers or The Michigan Education Association and local education associations. Members of most associations and unions must pay dues. Non members must pay equivalent fees in some districts.

You Should Prefer:

Activities involving people and teaching

Activities concerned with the communication of data

You Should Be Able To:

Direct, control, and plan the activities of others

Present information and ideas clearly to students

Work well with people of all ages and abilities

Evaluate information by your judgment/standards that can be measured

Communicate well, both orally and in writing

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Test scores on a written exam that you gave were 70, 95, 80, 65, 90, 100, and 50. What is the average score on the test?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Linear momentum is a quantity of motion arising from the quantity of velocity and the quantity of matter conjointly.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to give a student a written explanation of his or her grade if so requested.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to achieve your teaching objectives while spending the least amount of your program's budget.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here   for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Teacher, Vocational for specific licensing information. There are additional requirements for the professional education certificate and occupational education certificate.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school), a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

   0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0300 AUTOMOTIVE , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

177  VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Programs in Vocational Education provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become instructors of specific technical skills related to agriculture, business, industry, home economics, health, and retailing. Individuals must complete an approved teacher training program to obtain a Michigan Vocational Teaching Certificate.

Courses will vary with area of interest and school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

TRAINING SPECIALISTS AND INSTRUCTORS

The military trains new personnel in the job skills needed to begin their careers in the service. The military also offers advanced training and retraining to nearly all personnel. Instruction in electronics, health care, computer sciences, and aviation are just a few of the many vocational and technical areas for which the military has training programs. Training specialists and instructors teach classes and give demonstrations to provide military personnel with the knowledge needed to perform their jobs.

What They Do

Training specialists and instructors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Prepare course outlines and materials to present during training

Select training materials, such as textbooks and films

Teach classes and give lectures in person, over closed-circuit TV, or on videotape

Work with students individually when necessary

Test and evaluate student progress

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include public speaking and English. Helpful attributes include:

Interest in teaching

Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and speaking

Interest in counseling and promoting human relations

Work Environment

Training specialists and instructors in the military work either indoors or outdoors, depending on the type of training they provide and their specialty area.

Physical Demands

Training specialists and instructors must be able to speak clearly and distinctly.

Training Provided

Training consists of 2 to 14 weeks of class room instruction, including practice teaching. Length of training varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

Lesson planning

Instructional methods

Communications skills

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian training specialists and instructors work for vocational and technical schools, high schools, colleges, businesses, and government agencies. Their duties are similar to those performed by military training specialists and instructors. Civilian training specialists and instructors may be called teachers, trainers, or training representatives.

Opportunities

The services have about 7,000 training specialists and instructors. Each year, they need new specialists and instructors due to change in personnel and the demands of the field. Because training specialists and instructors must have an in-depth knowledge of a subject to be effective, only experienced personnel may become training specialists and instructors. Normally, training specialists and instructors are selected from those workers in each occupation who are both good in their work and have shown an ability to teach. Often, they divide their time between regular work and training duties.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Ways to explore or gain experience include high school vocational student organizations and work/study or co-op programs in a specific occupational area. Summer and part-time employment may be available. Some postsecondary programs offer opportunities for practical experience. Experience may be gained in military service or in actual employment in specified skill areas.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Vocational Education Teacher employer

internships

volunteer work with a Vocational Education Teacher employer

community service work with an agency

Teaching positions may be obtained by applying directly to local school districts, vocational-technical schools, community colleges, training centers, and other employers. College placement offices and associations may list openings or announce interview schedules. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Vocational Education Teachers depend on education and teaching experience, work experience, municipal budgetary conditions, unionization, supply and demand factors, and geographic location. Wages are usually higher in metropolitan areas than the wages in rural areas. Teachers generally earn less in private schools than in public schools. 

According to a recent nationwide survey, the average of the highest annual salaries (2005-2006) paid public classroom Teachers was $65,899; the average of the lowest salaries was $32,462; and the average of the mean was $48,160.  The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $33,852 in 2005.

Salaries (2006-2007) of public school teachers employed in various Michigan school districts were:

        *Salaries vary depending on 46- or 52-week schedules.

Some school districts may also pay allowances for cost-of-living, additional education, and longevity.

Most Vocational Education Teachers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and paid sick leave. Some also receive dental and vision care and prescription drug coverage. Sabbatical leave is available in some school districts, usually providing leave up to one year at half pay. These benefits are usually paid for by the employer. Self-employed teachers must provide their own benefits.

Vocational Education Teachers may become coordinators, vocational education administrators, principals or college deans. Advancement in the teaching profession usually follows one of two paths. Those remaining in strictly teaching positions may advance in salary and prestige. Others may give up daily classroom instruction and take on education administrative duties which usually require additional college training.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 117,800 Vocational Education Teachers employed in 2004. Employment of Vocational Education Teachers is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. As U.S. industries adopt new manufacturing technologies, many workers, including those who have been laid off, will need retraining. As a result, Vocational Education Teachers will be needed to teach new occupational skills in such areas as computer technology, electronics, telecommunications and networks, auto mechanics, robotics, and medical technology. The industry distribution for Vocational Education Teachers looked like this:

About 2,575 Vocational Education Teachers are employed in Michigan. Most worked in junior and senior high schools, area skill centers, public and private trade and technical schools and institutes, and 2- and 4-year college and universities. Some also worked for industrial and commercial firms. Little or no change in the employment of Vocational Education Teachers is expected through the year 2012.  An average of 70 annual openings is expected with all of them due to replacement of instructors who retire or leave the labor force. Some additional openings will occur as instructors transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Vocational Education Teachers who instruct students in the office education and health curriculum areas will have favorable employment opportunities. Other Vocational Education Teachers will be needed to teach new job skills to laid-off workers and to other workers entering the labor force. Increasingly, trainers in industrial and governmental establishments are providing technological training to employees by way of E-learning, video cassettes, computer-assisted instruction, interactive video, and video disks.

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MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012

(This figure is for Secondary Vocational Education Instructors only)

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

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 Copyright © 2007 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth