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Vocational teacher

Also called vocational tutor, vocational educator, vocational lecturer

Vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques that the students must subsequently master in the specialised vocation of their choice and aid in the development of the according attitudes and values. Vocational teachers monitor the students progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject through assignments, tests and examinations.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 21 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Teaching professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,700 (Hungary) to €9,900 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Teaching professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Teaching professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Vocational education teachers · ILO

What you'd do

Vocational education teachers · ILO
  • 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
Work in vocational schoolAdapt training to labour marketApply intercultural teaching strategiesAssist students in their learningAdapt teaching to student's capabilities+ 4 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of vocational education teachers now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as teaching professionals in the EU
9.04m10.91m10.66m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
2,551,000 replacing leavers 253,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Teaching professionals21
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of vocational education teachers, 2 a surplus.
Vocational education teachers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,700 a month (Hungary) to €9,900 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of teaching professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 88%Vocational 5%General secondary 5%Basic schooling 1%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.35 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Preparing reports and maintaining records such as student grades, attendance rolls, and training activity details0.65
Developing curricula and planning course content and methods of instruction0.43
Determining training needs of students or workers and liaising with individuals, industry and other education sectors to ensure provision of relevant education and training programmes0.36
Administering oral, written or performance tests to measure progress, evaluate training effectiveness and assess competency0.34
Supervising independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work or other training0.32
Presenting lectures and conducting discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence0.32
Conducting on-the-job training sessions to teach and demonstrate principles, techniques, procedures, or methods of designated subjects0.32
Observing and evaluating students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for improvement0.30
Providing individualized instruction and tutorial or remedial instruction0.24
Instructing and monitoring students in the use of tools, equipment and materials and the prevention of injury and damage0.21

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for vocational education teachers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).