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What does a Technical Instructor do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A technical instructor is a professional who teaches students about a particular trade or technical field. Technical instructors typically have several years of experience in their chosen field, and they use their knowledge to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. Technical instructors typically work in vocational schools, community colleges, and private training institutes.

Technical Instructor job duties include:

  • Plan, prepare and deliver lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group work and other learning activities.
  • Research and develop teaching materials.
  • Assess students’ work and provide feedback.
  • Keep up to date with developments in subject area.
  • Liaise with other members of staff.
  • Manage student behaviour in the classroom.
  • Plan and deliver lessons in line with the curriculum.
  • Mark students’ work and provide feedback.
  • Attend departmental meetings.

Technical Instructor Job Requirements

A technical instructor is responsible for teaching students the skills and knowledge necessary to perform a particular trade or job. To be a technical instructor, one must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent; however, many technical instructors have a college degree or higher. In addition, many technical instructors are certified in their field by a professional organization. Finally, most technical instructors have several years of experience working in the trade or job they are teaching.

Technical Instructor Skills

  • Patience
  • Creativity
  • The ability to convey information clearly
  • The ability to listen
  • The ability to give feedback
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to adapt
  • The ability to work under pressure
  • The ability to motivate others
  • The ability to troubleshoot
  • Technical skills

Related: Top Technical Instructor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Technical Instructor

There are many ways to become a technical instructor. One way is to have experience in the field that you want to teach in. Another way is to get a teaching certification from a vocational school or community college. Once you have the experience and/or certification, you can start teaching at a technical school, community college, or even online.

Technical instructors typically need to have at least an associate’s degree in the field they want to teach. However, some jobs may require a bachelor’s degree or higher. For example, if you want to teach welding, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in welding technology. To become a technical instructor, you will also need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Patience and the ability to work with diverse groups of people are also important qualities for technical instructors.

If you are interested in becoming a technical instructor, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can contact your local community college or vocational school to inquire about teaching certification programs. There are also online programs that offer certification for technical instructors. Once you have the necessary experience and/or certification, you can start your career as a technical instructor.

Related: Technical Instructor Resume Example

Related: Technical Instructor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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