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Career and Technology Studies Teacher

Career and technology studies (CTS) teachers help junior and senior high school students learn skills for personal living, prepare for future education and career possibilities, develop technological skills, and discover and integrate other curricular subject areas into their CTS studies.

Also Known As

Business Education Teacher, Educator, Human Ecology Teacher, Industrial Arts Teacher, Instructor, School Teacher, Teacher, Vocational Education Teacher

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4141: Secondary School Teachers

2006 NOC-S

  • E131: Secondary School Teachers

2011 NOC

  • 4031: Secondary school teachers

2016 NOC

  • 4031: Secondary school teachers

2021 NOC

  • 41220: Secondary school teachers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41220.00: Secondary school teachers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2017

In Alberta, schools select content and organize courses from a provincial Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Program. This program consists of 5 clusters:

  • Media, Design and Communication Arts (MDC)
  • Business, Administration, Finance and Information Technology (BIT)
  • Natural Resources (NAT)
  • Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation (TMT)
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services (HRH).

There is one standard CTS program for the province, but each school selects content based on student and community needs and available resources. No single school is likely to offer all 600+ CTS 1-credit courses.

In general, CTS teachers:

  • teach courses drawn from 1 or more of the 5 clusters
  • develop content and various methods of teaching that content
  • keep up to date in their fields by attending courses, workshops, conferences and seminars.

The duties of CTS teachers are similar to those of other teachers. For more information, see the Secondary School Teacher occupational profile.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

CTS teachers work in classrooms, school laboratories and workshops. Some work environments simulate office, workshop, salon, clinic, home or other settings found in business, industry or government. Many hours are spent outside class time working with individual students, preparing lessons and marking assignments.

Teaching can be a demanding job requiring a great deal of physical, mental and emotional energy.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Secondary School Teachers

2006 NOC: 4141

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops; may advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters

INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to prepare materials for academic, technical, vocational and specialized subjects and examinations, and to prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help

DIRECTIVE

Interest in instructing students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies; and in assigning and correcting homework, and administering and correcting examinations; may supervise student teachers

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Career and technology studies teachers need:

  • a genuine liking for and interest in young people
  • patience, compassion, tolerance and understanding
  • good mental, emotional and physical health and stamina
  • good sense of humour
  • strong leadership and organizational skills
  • the ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, employers, administrators, parents and the community at large.

They should enjoy finding different ways to solve problems and present information, and organizing and co-ordinating the work of others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Secondary school teachers

2016 NOC: 4031

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 54 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 13, 2021 and Dec 12, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Team player
Tasks: Teach students through lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations and laboratory, shop and field studies
Organized
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Provincial or Territorial Teaching Certificate
Excellent oral communication
Health benefits: Health care plan
Flexibility
Excellent written communication
Tasks: Prepare, administer and correct tests
Values and ethics
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

Career and technology studies teachers need knowledge and skills in both education and their subject area.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Certification Not Regulated

Teaching some CTS courses requires an appropriate Alberta Journeyman Certificate or recognized trade certificate.

For information about designated trades and occupations, see the apprenticeship occupational profiles.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2017

CTS teachers are employed by:

  • junior and senior high schools
  • colleges and vocational centres with integrated or technical occupational programs.

Experienced CTS teachers may advance to administrative positions or specialist positions in large schools, school districts, departments of education, colleges or universities.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Secondary school teachers
2016 NOC: 4031

99.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Secondary school teachers
2021 NOC: 41220
Medium
Demand
7,400
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Secondary school teachers
2016 NOC: 4031
3.4%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
279
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) estimates that about 400 teaching positions will become vacant each year due to retirement.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Since teachers’ salaries and benefits are determined by negotiated agreements between school boards and their teachers, salaries vary from one board to another. However, all teachers are paid according to a grid system based on their number of years of university training and number of years of teaching experience.

All teachers employed in Alberta’s publicly supported schools are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and are automatically included under the Alberta Teachers’ Pension Plans Act (PDF). Holidays and pensions are specified by provincial legislation. However, teachers often use the spring, summer and Christmas breaks for professional development or for fulfilling additional professional responsibilities.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Secondary school teachers

2016 NOC: 4031
Average Wage
$42.58
Per Hour
Average Salary
$80,556.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.6
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4031 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $25.91 $39.22 $30.50 $28.40
Overall $28.33 $55.78 $42.58 $41.21
Top $44.39 $68.40 $52.62 $48.75

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Educational Services
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
72%
72%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
19%
19%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
0%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Agriculture and Related Technologies
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Education and Library Studies
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Environment, Forestry and Related Studies
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
  • Personal and Food Services
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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