Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

Median wage

$61,490

$38,680–$106,580

Projected growth

+0.7%

Slower than average

Annual openings

per year

Employed (US)

111,150

Job Zone 3

Typical preparation

Medium preparation

Stackable credential programs

725 mapped

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Core skills

InstructingLearning StrategiesActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWriting

Knowledge areas

Education and TrainingEnglish LanguageMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematics

Technology & tools

Computer based training softwareData base user interface and query softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareWord processing softwareInformation retrieval or search software

Representative tasks

Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions foPresent lectures and conduct discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visualSupervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment.

Competency framework

Skill expectations by proficiency level.

emerging

Student progress observations — conduct under direct supervisor guidance using structured checklists in a postsecondary CTE classroom.Visual instructional aids — select and display pre-prepared graphs, charts, and slides during introductory lectures with mentor oversight.Tool and equipment safety protocols — follow and enforce established procedures while monitoring students in a supervised lab environment.Written and oral assessments — administer instructor-provided tests to measure basic student progress in a vocational training setting.Individualized student support — provide guided one-on-one assistance to struggling students using prepared remedial materials in a classroom setting.Student records and attendance rolls — maintain accurate paper and digital records using standard templates in a postsecondary program office.Course content delivery — follow an existing curriculum and lesson plan to instruct entry-level students in a CTE program.Student training needs — identify basic gaps in knowledge or skill by reviewing assessment results under supervisor direction.Word processing and email software — use to draft basic instructional materials and communicate with students and colleagues in a school setting.Active listening skills — demonstrate during student-instructor interactions to correctly interpret questions and concerns in a classroom environment.

developing

Student performance evaluation — observe and assess work samples against defined rubrics and provide constructive written feedback in a postsecondary CTE course.Lecture and discussion facilitation — conduct engaging sessions using varied visual aids including videotapes and digital slides with reduced supervisor oversight in a vocational classroom.Lab supervision and equipment monitoring — independently oversee student use of trade tools and technology to maintain safety and learning standards in a workshop setting.Multi-format assessments — design and administer written, oral, and performance-based tests to evaluate student competency in a CTE training program.Remedial and tutorial instruction — develop and deliver differentiated support sessions tailored to individual student learning gaps in a postsecondary environment.Program records and reporting — compile and maintain accurate student grades, attendance data, and training activity logs using database and scheduling software.Course content planning — contribute to curriculum updates and revise lesson plans to reflect current industry practices in a vocational education program.Training needs assessment — gather and interpret student performance data to determine instructional adjustments in a mid-level CTE classroom context.Computer-based training software — integrate into routine instruction to support blended learning delivery for students in a postsecondary technical program.Social perceptiveness — apply when reading classroom dynamics to adapt instructional pacing and tone in response to student engagement levels.

proficient

Comprehensive student evaluation — independently design assessment criteria, observe student work across multiple formats, and deliver targeted improvement feedback in a full-scope CTE program.Advanced instructional delivery — lead complex lectures and facilitate analytical discussions using multimedia tools and real-world technical scenarios in a postsecondary vocational setting.Integrated lab management — autonomously supervise student use of specialized equipment while proactively identifying and resolving safety or instructional issues in a technical workshop.Evaluation instrument development — construct and validate written, oral, and performance assessments aligned to occupational competency standards across an entire CTE course sequence.Individualized learning plans — design and implement customized remedial and enrichment instruction addressing a full range of learner needs in a postsecondary program.Institutional recordkeeping and compliance — manage comprehensive student records, generate required administrative reports, and ensure data accuracy using integrated college information systems.Curriculum development — independently plan, write, and revise full course curricula incorporating current industry standards and instructional best practices for a CTE program.Holistic training needs analysis — conduct systematic assessments of student and workforce skill gaps to inform instructional design decisions across a vocational program.Complex problem solving in instruction — diagnose recurring student performance challenges and implement evidence-based instructional interventions in a postsecondary CTE environment.Cross-disciplinary knowledge integration — apply understanding of engineering, mathematics, and technology domains to enrich technical instruction across multiple CTE subject areas.

advanced

Program-wide assessment strategy — lead the design and continuous improvement of evaluation systems that measure student outcomes against industry and accreditation benchmarks across a CTE department.Instructional leadership — mentor and coach junior and adjunct instructors in effective lecture delivery, discussion facilitation, and visual aid use throughout a postsecondary vocational institution.Departmental safety and equipment policy — establish and oversee institution-wide protocols for student use of tools and technology, ensuring compliance across all CTE labs and workshops.Competency framework alignment — direct the development of assessment instruments and grading standards that align program outcomes to state, national, or industry credentialing requirements.Equity-focused instructional model — lead institutional adoption of differentiated and inclusive teaching practices to improve outcomes for diverse learner populations across a CTE college.Institutional data governance — oversee department-level recordkeeping systems, reporting processes, and data integrity standards to support accreditation and administrative decision-making.Strategic curriculum architecture — direct multi-course and multi-program curriculum design initiatives, integrating workforce trends and employer input to ensure occupational relevance at scale.Workforce development partnerships — negotiate and coordinate with industry partners, advisory boards, and workforce agencies to align program training needs with regional labor market demands.Organizational change leadership — persuade stakeholders and lead faculty through adoption of new instructional technologies, pedagogical models, and program delivery methods across a postsecondary institution.Institutional professional development — design and lead faculty training initiatives that build instructional capacity, promote best practices, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement in a CTE division.

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