TEACHERS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL California Occupational Guide Number 404 Interest Area 11 1996
THE JOB
TRADE AND TECHNICAL TEACHERS train adolescents and adults for employment in today's highly technical global market. Trade and Technical Teachers instruct students in such diverse occupations as auto mechanics, carpentry, computer aided drafting (CAD), cosmetology, data processing, electronics, fire science, police science, machine shop, and welding in class environments that simulate the world of work as much as possible.
Working in high schools, skill centers, community colleges, correctional institutions, adult education schools, and increasingly in employer based training programs, Trade and technical Teachers prepare instructional materials and track the supply and inventory levels of instructional tools. They also maintain records of each student's performance. They may purchase and maintain expensive training equipment such as High Tech teaching tools which is crucial to the hands-on training trade students receive. Students must be trained on the most advanced equipment in order to compete and have a marketable skill in today's job market.
Some teachers supervise employer based work experience programs at work sites. Both the employer and teacher periodically review the student's work. Many teachers also work in the occupational field they teach, therefore, they stay in touch with vocational trends and employer requirements.
Teachers are often asked to attend community and school meetings and supervise extracurricular activities. They may also attend meetings of professional organizations and trade fairs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Trade and Technical Teachers teach in public and private middle and high schools, adult education programs, employer on-site facilities, government funded retraining programs and private technical colleges. Classrooms are as varied as the range of occupations taught. Building trades teachers, for instance, frequently teach apprentices at actual construction sites where they strictly follow safety standards.
Most Trade and Technical Teachers belong to national and state vocational teachers associations that may also represent them in collective bargaining agreements. In most localities, Trade and Technical Teachers gain tenure after two or three years of successful job performance.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections and Planning Information published by the Labor Market Information Division. The figures represent the broad occupational group Teachers Vocational Education and Training which includes Trade and Technical Teachers.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 45,060 Estimated number of workers in 2005 62,620 Projected Growth 1993-2005 39% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 5,770
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Trade and Technical Teachers rank among the top fifty largest growth occupations in California.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Salaries for Trade and Technical Teachers vary between private and public schools, geographical areas, and those represented by unions. Such factors as college degree, teaching credentials and work or teaching experience also affect salary levels.
Trade and Technical Teachers with no experience can earn from $6.00 to $16.00 per hour. Hourly wages for Teachers with some experience range from $7.00 to $21.00. Teachers with three or more years experience earn between $8.25 to $29.00 hourly. Union wages for each experience level are about $6.00 to $8.00 higher than prevailing non-union wages.
Private trade and technical schools and adult vocational education programs typically train students year round. Public schools usually have classes during the regular academic year that typically start in September and end in June.
Trade and Technical Teachers instruct 18 to 25 classroom hours a week and work an additional 10 hours a week preparing coursework and attending meetings. Most schools pay health and leave benefits.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Teacher Prep Tip!
The federal Department of Defense (DOD) sponsors a new Troops to Teachers placement assistance program for talented military and civilian workers affected by DOD cutbacks. The primary goal is to help these dislocated workers get "alternative" certification and placement in schools with a concentration of students from low income families. Troops to Teachers will provide role models for students and should help reduce teacher shortages in low income schools. Participants may receive up to $5,000 in stipends. Incentive grants may be made to schools that employ participants ranging from a maximum of $50,000 over a five year period.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing establishes the requirements for a credential to teach in California public classrooms. The Credential fee for the first time applicant and for fingerprint clearance is $111.00. Renewal of credential is $65.00.
Five year Preliminary Vocational Credential requires:
-- Five years work experience* directly related to the subject listed on
the credential.
-- High School Diploma or equivalency certificate.
-- U.S. Constitution education.
-- Recommendation from an employing school district or a local education
agency that is Commission approved.
____________
*Credential candidates can substitute 48 hours of postsecondary vocational
units related to the subject named on the credential for a maximum of two
of the five years work experience.
Private School Certificates issued by the Council for Private Post- Secondary and Vocational Education require a combination of three years of related experience and training.
ADVANCEMENT
Most Trade and Technical Teachers advance through salary increases based on teaching experience and additional education. Instructors with supervisory abilities may be promoted to various administrative positions.
FINDING THE JOB
Job seekers should:
-- Apply directly to public and private schools
-- Follow up leads in newspapers and professional journals
-- Network through professional associations and with working friends and
contacts
-- Register with the Job Service at the nearest California Employment
Development Department
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Commission on Teacher Credentialing Box 944270 (1812 9th Street) Sacramento, CA 94244-2700 (916) 445-7254 Web site address: http://www.ctc.ca.gov
Council for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education 1027 10th Street, Fourth Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-3427 or 327-8900
Troops to Teachers Dantes, Code 02 6490 Saufley Field Road Pensacola, FL 32509-5243 (800) 452-6616 or (904) 452-1151
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Teachers, Elementary School No. 10 Teachers, Secondary School No. 57 Teachers, Special Education No. 110 Instructors, Community College No. 139 Teachers, Preschool No. 275 Counselors, Rehabilitation and School No. 429
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Instructor, Vocational Training 097.221-010 Teacher, Adult Education 099.227-030 Instructor, Technical Training 166.221-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Teachers, Voc Ed and Training 313140
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Home 
Job Key 
Wages 
Demand