College and Other Vocational Instructors
(NOC 4021)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesCollege and other vocational instructors teach adults in a wide variety of subject areas. These include vocation, technical, business or services training, trades, academic upgrading, and university transfer courses. They work for community colleges, agricultural colleges, technical and vocational institutes, language schools, and other college level schools. This group also includes trainers who are employed by private training organizations, companies, community agencies, and governments to deliver internal training or development courses. College teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group. These instructors specialize in fields or areas of study like visual arts, dental hygiene, welding, engineering technology, policing, computer software, management, and early childhood education.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$21.79
Minimum$31.00
Median$46.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,123
Minimum$55,271
Median$90,506
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
College and other vocational instructors teach adults in a wide variety of subject areas. These include vocation, technical, business or services training, trades, academic upgrading, and university transfer courses. They work for community colleges, agricultural colleges, technical and vocational institutes, language schools, and other college level schools. This group also includes trainers who are employed by private training organizations, companies, community agencies, and governments to deliver internal training or development courses. College teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group. These instructors specialize in fields or areas of study like visual arts, dental hygiene, welding, engineering technology, policing, computer software, management, and early childhood education.
Job duties
College and other vocational instructors:
- Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, demonstrations, discussion groups, laboratory work, shop sessions, seminars, case studies, field assignments and independent or group projects.
- Develop curriculum and prepare teaching materials and outlines for courses.
- Prepare, administer, and mark tests and papers to evaluate students' progress.
- Advise students on program curricula and career decisions.
- Provide individualized tutorial or remedial instruction to students who require it.
- Supervise independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work or hands-on training.
- Supervise teaching assistants.
- May provide consultation services to government, business, and other organizations.
- May serve on committees for budgets, curriculum revision, and course and diploma requirements.
Sample job titles
- college instructor
- college lecturer
- college teacher
- company trainer
- department chairperson - college
- department head - college
- department head - private training institute
- English as a second language teacher (ESL) - college level
- training consultant - industry
- tutor, correspondence school
Skills
- You should be patient, imaginative, objective, and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary. Instructors must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed about new material or methods of teaching.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree, a college diploma, or demonstrated expertise in the field of instruction is required.
- A master's degree in the field of instruction may be required.
- A certificate, diploma or degree in adult education may be required.
- For instructors of trades, completion of apprenticeship training and industry or trade certification are required. Additional courses in teaching or a provincial teaching certificate may be required.
Other considerations
- About half of the workers in these jobs work full-time and for the full year. Individuals in these fields generally work regular hours, although some evening work may be required. Progression to administrative positions in postsecondary education is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$47,747 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$76,549 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$61,106 median annual incomeCape Breton
$68,621 median annual incomeSouthern
$48,946 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Public administration
Health care and social assistance
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$50,031 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$69,646 median annual incomeMaster
$68,585 median annual incomeHigh school
$39,391 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$53,715 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
Institutions providing this program
Biology/Biological Sciences
College or University ProgramThis includes any general program of biology at the introductory, basic level or a program in biology or the biological sciences that is undifferentiated as to title or content. These programs include courses in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Child Development
College or University ProgramThis program engages students in practical training and theoretical explorations in child and youth work, early childhood education, as well as early intervention and inclusive development.
Institutions providing this program
Curriculum and Instruction
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the curriculum and related instructional processes and tools and prepares students to serve as professional curriculum specialists. They include courses in curriculum theory, curriculum design and planning, instructional material design and evaluation, curriculum evaluation, and applications to specific subject matter, programs or educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Education - General
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Educational Statistics and Research Methods
University ProgramThese programs focus on applying statistics to the analysis educational research problems, and the development of technical designs for research studies. They include courses in mathematical statistics, research design, computer applications, instrument design, research methodologies, and applications to research problems in specific education subjects.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Educational/Instructional Media Design
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the principles and techniques of creating instructional products and related educational resources in various formats or combinations like film, video, recording, text, art, computer software, virtual reality technology, and three-dimensional objects, and that prepares individuals to function as instructional media designers. They include courses in the techniques specific to creating in various media, the behavioural principles applicable to using various media in learning and teaching, the design, testing and production of instructional materials, and the management of educational/instructional media facilities and programs.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
English as an Additional Language (Canada)
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the development of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English for those for whom English is not their mother tongue. They include courses in the use of basic communication skills to develop and transmit ideas and thoughts in English as well as specialized programs that focus on the development of proficiency in English sufficient to meet specific occupational or academic demands.
Teaching English to Speakers of Another Language
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that prepares individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach technology education/industrial arts programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
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