“There is a dire need for the current generation of technicians and teachers to pass their knowledge and passion to the next generation,” says WyoTech president
Laramie, Wyo.—Automotive trade school WyoTech’s faculty is encouraging people with technical training and experience to consider a career in teaching in light of a looming shortage for technical education teachers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 14,800 openings for technical education teachers annually for the next decade, primarily to replace retiring teachers or those leaving the profession. The Bureau also projects a need for 28,000 diesel technicians and mechanics annually over the decade.
“The demand in the trade industry is growing, as is the number of technicians who are reaching retirement age,” said Kyle Morris, president of WyoTech. “And there is a dire need for the current generation of technicians and teachers to pass their knowledge and passion to the next generation so we can keep the trades — and therefore the country — up and running.”
While many in the trade industry are aware of the support that WyoTech gives to the trade industry in providing hands-on experience to the next generation of technicians, the need for mentors and teachers in the industry is rarely spoken of. Across the board at both schools and companies, there is a need for experienced hands who are willing to pass their passion on to the next generation of technicians. WyoTech’s instructors speak to this need and encourage other technicians to consider a field in teaching.
“There’s a huge need for teachers across the board. I can see it in our programs, and I can see it in other programs across the country,” said Tyler Mead, diesel instructor.
“There’s lots of reasons to teach, and I often feel like I get way more enjoyment out of teaching than I do when I’m actually working on equipment. I get more reward out of it than I ever did ‘mechanicing.’ To see the progression and development of the students is out of this world.”
Veteran WyoTech teachers said they’ve seen students’ development pay long-term dividends of successful careers that also provide a good quality of life.
“Working with one’s hands to build or repair is rewarding for many that do it, and that usually translates to personal happiness and contentment,” said Charles “Mac” McDonald, trim and upholstery instructor.
“I would suggest to anyone considering a teaching role to think about the impact they can have on someone’s life. It’s a good feeling to have a student reach out to you years later to thank you for impacting their life in a positive way.”
WyoTech teachers say the most important part of teaching is being able to leverage their skills to have that kind of impact on hundreds or thousands of lives. “In the fighting world, a force multiplier is a tool that gives you an unfair advantage. I am that tool to my students, a force multiplier,” said instructor Robert Stage.
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