A technical instructor is a professional who specializes in teaching a technical course or subject. Topics might include computer programs, computer repair, electronics, auto repair and many areas of construction and trades. In order to become a technical instructor, you will need to acquire an education in your chosen topic and may also need to earn a degree in education, instructional technology or another similar field. In most cases, you will also need a certain amount of field experience and may need to serve as an assistant or adjunct instructor before you can become a technical instructor. As with any job, you will also need to find and apply for positions.
The minimum education and experience needed to become a technical instructor will typically vary from job to job and can depend on the nature of the company offering the position. For example, a company might hire a trainer for its computer department while a computer training center might hire instructors to teach computer programs to end users. In both of these situations, your experience is likely to be more important than your education. While a company will undoubtedly want you to have training in your subject, it will probably be more concerned with whether you have real-world experience with the subject and whether you are capable of training others.
A junior or technical college, however, will probably require you to have a formal degree or certificate in order to become a technical instructor. The level of education often depends on the subject matter. For example, if you are planning to teach computer classes at a technical college, it is very likely that you will need to obtain a four-year degree in computer science. If, however, you are planning to teach a subject in which no four-year degree is available, you will simply be expected to earn the highest possible recognized level of training in your field. Most junior and technical colleges also give preference to candidates who have at least two years of experience in their fields.
Once you have obtained the education and experience necessary to become a technical instructor, you will still need to find a job. This means that you will need a professional resume that highlights your successes and abilities as well as a well-written cover letter. You can use general job boards to assist your search, but you may also want to check the college and technical school websites in your area for job listings.
