Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

College and other vocational instructors teach applied arts, academic, technical and vocational subjects to students at community colleges, CEGEPs, agricultural colleges, technical institutes, language schools, bible colleges and other vocational schools. This occupational group also includes trainers who are employed by companies and governments to teach internal training and development courses.

Nature of Work

College and other vocational instructors teach applied arts, academic, technical and vocational subjects to students at community colleges, CEGEPs, agricultural colleges, technical institutes, language schools, bible colleges and other vocational schools. This occupational group also includes trainers who are employed by companies and governments to teach internal training and development courses.

Duties

College and other vocational instructors may specialize in any number of fields of study, such as visual arts, dental hygiene, welding, broadcasting, engineering technology or law and security. Consequently, the duties of one instructor may vary considerably from those of another. There are, however, several duties common to most college and vocational instructors. These include preparing teaching materials and outlines for courses and teaching students using a systematic plan of lectures, demonstrations, discussion groups, shop sessions and seminars. Other duties include preparing, administering and marking tests and papers to evaluating students' progress and advising students on program curriculum revisions and course and diploma requirements.

Example Titles

• company trainer
• training officer
• community college teacher
• vocational school teacher
• college department chairperson, trade programs
• college teacher
• computer training instructor
• teacher, legal assistant program
• department head, dental hygienist program
• CEGEP teacher
• commercial art instructor
• hairdressing teacher
• language instructor, language school

Training Paths

College instructors require a variety of qualifications depending on their area of instruction. Instructors of university transfer courses should hold a Master's degree in their subject area. Adult basic education instructors require a Bachelor of Education degree. Instructors of trades do not need post-secondary education. However, their work requires them to have expert knowledge, extensive experience, and applicable trade qualifications (i.e. Journeyman). University of Saskatchewan offers Master's and Doctoral degree programs in Continuing Education. University of Regina offers a Bachelor of Adult Education & Training and a Master and Doctorate in Adult Education. Also offered is an Adult Continuing Education Certificate. Private vocational school instructors must have graduated from a registered private vocational school in the appropriate subject area. They must also have at least twelve consecutive months of experience in the respective vocation, or have at least three years of experience in the vocation they teach.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: good

After years of steady growth in the early nineties, the number of college and other vocational instructors in Saskatchewan dropped significantly during the latter part of that decade. This trend reversed, however, in the years that followed. According to Statistics Canada, there were 425 more instructors at this level in 2005 than there were in 2000. This marks a 21% increase in just 5 years. Whether or not this upward trend continues, this remains a large--and fairly old--work force. Fifty-eight percent of all college and other vocational instructors in Saskatchewan were 45 years of age or older in 2006. The retirement or transfer of many older instructors in the next few years will create some employment opportunities. Coupled with the new positions that become available, turnover brings promise of steady employment opportunities over the next few years. Much depends, of course, on the faculty or subject area being taught or studied; some disciplines are more in demand than others.

College and other vocational instructors are fairly well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $43,100 per year. This was in line with the provincial average for all occupations ($42,300 per year). Of course, there is tremendous range between the incomes of the highest and lowest paid instructors in this occupational group. Annual incomes for college and other vocational instructors in the province ranged from $25,100 to $77,300 in 2005. Incomes in these fields of work are fairly consistent throughout the province.

A slim majority of college and other vocational instructors in Saskatchewan work part time; Just under 50% of all instructors were employed on a full-time basis in 2005. Self-employment is rare in these fields. As well, employment is highly seasonal but not very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

Employment in these fields is divided fairly evenly between men and women; 54% of all college and other vocational instructors in Saskatchewan were female in 2006. That same year, over 59% of all Saskatchewan instructors were employed in or around Saskatchewan's two largest cities; 34% in Saskatoon and 25% in Regina.

Technological change is being felt in classrooms through the increased use of computers and other sophisticated machinery in technical courses. Consequently, instructors who keep abreast of new technological developments may have an advantage over others seeking work in these fields.

Professional Associations

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