Vocational education teachers teach or instruct vocational or occupational subjects in adult and further education institutions and to senior students in secondary schools and colleges. They prepare students for employment in specific occupations or occupational areas for which university or higher education is not normally required.

Tasks performed usually include: developing curricula and planning course content and methods of instruction; determining training needs of students or workers and liaising with individuals, industry and other education sectors to ensure provision of relevant education and training programmes; presenting lectures and conducting discussions to increase students’ knowledge and competence; instructing and monitoring students in the use of tools, equipment and materials and the prevention of injury and damage; observing and evaluating students’ work to determine progress, provide feedback and make suggestions for improvement; administering  oral, written or performance tests to measure progress, evaluate training effectiveness and assess competency; preparing  reports and maintaining records such as student grades, attendance rolls and training activity details; supervising independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work or other training; providing individualized instruction and tutorial or remedial instruction; conducting on-the-job training sessions to teach and demonstrate principles, techniques, procedures or methods of designated subjects.