How to become a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

Vocational Education and Training (VET) lecturers teach vocational courses connected with specific industries and areas of work to help people enter or re-enter the workforce.

Personal requirements for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

Enthusiasm for, and ability in, their chosen field
Good organisational skills
Able to communicate concepts and instructions clearly
Enjoy working with young and older adults
Patient when dealing with students of differing abilities and from different cultures
Acceptance of the rights and needs of individual students.
Patient and understanding

Education & Training for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

To become a VET lecturer, you usually need an appropriate qualification and/or experience in the field that you wish to teach in. This could be a trade, profession, craft or vocational area. Once you have qualifications or experience in your subject area, entry to this occupation may be improved with teaching or training qualifications. A VET qualification in training and assessment, training design and development, or vocational education and training is required to teach accredited training. VET institutes will often support casual and part-time staff in obtaining these qualifications. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You may be able to study through distance education. In addition to a VET qualification, a tertiary qualification in adult, vocational and workplace learning; tertiary teaching; or education, specialising in applied learning, is recommended for full-time staff. A number of institutions in Australia offer courses in these areas at bachelor degree and postgraduate levels. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree. Institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study.

Duties & Tasks of a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

VET lecturers:

Research and write a syllabus which covers everything to be taught in a course
Interpret training packages, prepare lessons and produce resources such as typed notes, diagrams, demonstrations and model patterns for use in teaching
Teach students in classrooms or workshops, providing theory and practical training through lectures, discussions, practical demonstrations and supervision
Assess students by setting and marking exams and assignments and evaluating completed projects
Carry out administrative tasks, such as keeping student records, arranging timetables and ordering supplies of materials to be used in teaching
Counsel and advise students with career or personal problems, or refer them to counsellors
Attend meetings and serve on committees, or liaise with the community and industry.

Tasks

Maintaining records of students' progress, attendance and training activities
Marking and grading students' assignments, papers and exams and providing feedback to students about their progress
Identifying the various needs of students and creating effective learning options to meet these needs
Consulting with Education Managers, Librarians, Student Counsellors and other support staff
Advising students on courses and related matters
Teaching students using teaching aids including presentation of lesson materials, discussions, workshops, laboratory sessions, multimedia aids and computer tutorials
Planning, designing and developing course curriculum and method of instruction
Liaising with individuals, industry and education sectors to ensure provision of relevant programs and services

Working conditions for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

VET lecturers may teach courses during the day, at night and on weekends. They need to constantly revise their own knowledge of their subject area and conduct industry and student surveys to ensure that course content and teaching methods are up to date.

Employment Opportunities for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Lecturer

VET lecturers work at VET institutes, regional colleges, private colleges, corporate training centres, and increasingly, in workplaces. Each VET institute is responsible for the employment of its own lecturers.

Average age
50 years
Future Growth
Decline
Gender Share
51% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,790
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
58% Full-Time
Employment Size
30,400 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.4%
NSW: 31.2%
NT: 0.8%
QLD: 18.1%
SA: 6.8%
TAS: 2.2%
VIC: 27.3%
WA: 12.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.5%
20-24: 1.5%
25-34: 11.3%
35-44: 21.2%
45-54: 30.5%
55-59: 16.2%
60-64: 11.7%
65 and Over: 7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 24.4%
Bachelor degree: 26.3%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 19.8%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 24.5%
Year 10 and below: 1.3%
Year 11: 0.6%
Year 12: 3.1%
Years 11 & 10: 6.1%