College and other vocational instructors teach applied arts, academic, technical and vocational subjects to students at community colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools.
Their primary duties include
- Teaching students using lectures, demonstrations, discussions, laboratory work, shop sessions, seminars, case studies, field assignments, and independent/group projects
- Developing curriculum and preparing teaching materials for courses
- Preparing, administering and marking tests and papers
- Advising students on educational programs and careers
- Supervising independent projects, field placements, laboratory work and hands-on training
- Providing one-on-one tutorials and instruction
- Supervising teaching assistants
- Keeping subject matter current[1]
Regarding work-life balance
- About 83% work full-time, while 17% work part-time
- Approximately 66% work year-round, with 34% working seasonally (average 44 weeks/year)
- The gender distribution is 81% female and 19% male
However, maintaining work-life balance can be challenging. Many supervisors expect long hours, and the workload often extends beyond regular working hours. This can lead to isolation and impact self-esteem, especially when comparing oneself to workaholic peers.[2]
How to Become College and other vocational instructors -
Steps to become a college or vocational instructor in India:
- Complete 12th standard education from a recognized school board
- Earn a bachelor's degree with a minimum 50% aggregate
- Pursue a master's degree in your chosen field
- Consider earning a PhD for advanced positions
- Clear competitive exams like NET (National Eligibility Test) or SET (State Eligibility Test)
- Gain relevant experience through internships, tutoring, or volunteering
- Obtain necessary certifications or licenses for specific vocational fields
Key skills and competencies required
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Research and analytical abilities
- Proficiency in data analysis
- Familiarity with academic writing
- Presentation skills
- Interpersonal skills[5]
Additional competencies
- Subject matter expertise
- Pedagogical skills
- Curriculum development
- Assessment and evaluation techniques
- Use of educational technology
- Classroom management
- Adaptability to different learning styles
- Mentoring and counseling abilities
- Industry knowledge and connections
- Continuous professional development[3]
Salary
- Entry-level: ₹13,751 to ₹41,627 net per month
- After 5 years of experience: ₹27,319 to ₹71,270 per month for a 48-hour work week[7]
Career Progression
The career path for college and vocational instructors typically follows:
Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor → Senior Professor → Professor of Eminence → Dean/Director → Pro-Vice-Chancellor → Vice-Chancellor → Chancellor
Instructors can also transition into roles such as:
- Content Developer/Instructional Designer (₹4 - 6 LPA)
- Corporate Trainer (₹6 - 10 LPA)
- Policy Analyst/Education Researcher (₹5 - 8 LPA)[6]
Industry Trends and Future Outlook
- Increasing demand: The field of vocational education and training is growing, with many opportunities for those entering the profession.
- Government initiatives: The Indian government is implementing reforms and policies to promote innovation and reverse brain drain. For example, the Prime Minister Research Fellowship scheme offers substantial financial support for PhD students at top institutions.
- Industry-academia collaboration: There's a growing trend of hiring industry experts as professors of practice to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
- Diversification of roles: Universities are exploring innovative ways to engage experts, including appointing tribal figures as professors to impart knowledge on indigenous culture and heritage.
- Technological integration: The increasing use of technology in education requires instructors to adapt and integrate digital tools into their teaching methods.[6]
The vocational education sector in India is expected to grow significantly. It is estimated that only 5% of the youth in India are currently vocationally trained, indicating a huge potential for growth. The government is taking steps to redefine and improve vocational education to make it more flexible, contemporary, relevant, inclusive, and creative.[32]
Citations:
[1] https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/college-and-other-vocational-instructors
[2] https://eprajournals.com/IJMR/article/6835/download
[3] https://www.psscive.ac.in/storage/uploads/others/Guidelines/pdf/english/national-professional-standards-for-vocational-teachers-npsvt-english.pdf
[4] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-vocational-teacher
[5] https://www.zippia.com/vocational-teacher-jobs/skills/
[6] https://www.suraasa.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-vocational-education-teaching
[7] https://paycheck.in/career-tips/role-income/india-vocational-education-teachers
[8] https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-does-vocational-trainer-do
[9] https://cutmap.ac.in/study-guide/what-is-the-scope-of-vocational-education-training/
[10] https://6figr.com/in/salary/vocational-training
[11] https://timespro.com/blog/a-step-by-step-guide-to-becoming-a-vocational-teacher-in-2024
[12] https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Vocational_Training_Teacher/Salary
[13] https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/vocational-trainer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
[14] https://ictactjournals.in/paper/IJMS_Vol_4_Iss_1_Paper_1_657_662.pdf
[15] https://qed.qld.gov.au/workingwithus/Documents/oo7-vocational-trainer.pdf
[16] https://itpd.ncert.gov.in/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=1892
[17] http://ijariie.com/AdminUploadPdf/WORK_LIFE_BALANCE_OF_COLLEGE_TEACHERS__IN_MALAPPURAM_CITY__KERALA_STATE___A_DESCRIPTIVE_STUDY_ijariie4767.pdf
[18] https://www.itiskillinfo.in/2023/04/CITSAssignment1.1_0875108386.html?m=1
[19] https://diversityjobs.com/job-descriptions/vocational-education-teacher-secondary-school-job-description
[20] https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/vocational-instructor-1
[21] https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/job-descriptions/vocational-education-teacher/
[22] https://das.iowa.gov/media/3489/download
[23] https://grad.msu.edu/certification-college-teaching-competencies
[24] https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/vocational-instructor
[25] https://www.psscive.ac.in/storage/uploads/others/Guidelines/pdf/english/national-professional-standards-for-vocational-teachers-npsvt-english.pdf
[26] https://www.journal-aquaticscience.com/article_136974_3eff1db09d146b511320ddf47ef0d7ec.pdf
[27] https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/vocational-teacher/
[28] https://ramtrainingservices.com.au/exploring-the-role-of-a-vocational-trainer-skills-and-qualifications-for-a-rewarding-career-change/
[29] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED567059.pdf
[30] https://hr.abbyschools.ca/proficiencies
[31] https://www.winginstitute.org/quality-teachers-compentencies
[32] https://www.ripublication.com/ijeisv1n1/ijeisv4n1_12.pdf