Last Friday, I had the opportunity to participate in the Professional & Technical Bootcamp review project at the Center of Excellence for Careers in Education at Green River College, an in-depth exploration of what it takes to train and support instructors in professional and technical education. Being selected for this experience proved both insightful and challenging, providing valuable perspectives on the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to support the educators in these fields.

The Research Process

The bootcamp research was guided by data collection and analysis, culminating in several charts that outline the competencies, challenges, and opportunities within professional technical instruction. The study focused on three key areas:

• Micro DACUM for Entry-Level Professional Technical Instructors
• Micro DACUM for Professional Technical Bootcamp Instructors
• Bootcamp Curriculum Topic Review

These charts highlighted the evolving expectations of educators, gaps in training, and emerging trends that will shape the future of technical instruction.

Key Findings from the Research Charts

1. Entry-Level Professional Technical Instructor Competencies

This section of the research outlined the core duties and responsibilities of new instructors in professional technical education. Some of the key areas included:

• Developing a structured syllabus and engaging students effectively.
• Organizing course materials using online learning management systems.
• Implementing facilitation techniques and responding to student inquiries.
• Creating a safe and inclusive classroom culture through cultural humility and student-centered practices.
• Understanding campus structures, policies, and available student support services.
• Engaging in curriculum development, ensuring accessibility, and incorporating effective assessment methods.

2. Professional Technical Bootcamp Instructor Competencies

For instructors leading intensive bootcamp-style training programs, additional skills and considerations were identified:

• Balancing the fast-paced nature of bootcamps with effective learning strategies.
• Incorporating hands-on and experiential learning methodologies.
• Managing classroom challenges, including student engagement and professional boundaries.
• Aligning bootcamp content with industry standards and workforce needs.
• Collecting and analyzing assessment data to continuously improve course outcomes.

3. Bootcamp Curriculum Review: Core Updates and Future Directions

One of the most exciting aspects of the research was reviewing the effectiveness of existing bootcamp curricula and identifying areas for improvement. The findings included:

• Core/Critical Topics: Adult learning best practices, assessment techniques, and faculty identity development.
• Topics for Updates: Integration of AI in classrooms, revised lesson planning approaches, and enhanced feedback mechanisms.
• New Curriculum Opportunities: Emerging fields like prompt engineering, advanced rubrics, and more focus on self-care and work-life balance.
• Potentially Obsolete Curriculum: Certain traditional classroom management techniques and outdated learning style models.

The research also emphasized the importance of adapting curriculum based on career levels, ensuring that content remains relevant from early-career instructors to seasoned educators.

Moving Forward

Reflecting on this experience, one key takeaway is the need for continuous evolution in professional technical education. Training new instructors goes beyond teaching content; it involves fostering a learning environment that is inclusive, adaptable, and aligned with industry demands.

As we look ahead, these conversations and perspectives provide a foundation for refining bootcamp programs, enhancing instructor support systems, and ultimately improving student success. By staying engaged with emerging trends and committing to ongoing curriculum development, we can ensure that our programming and the instructors that deliver it remain dynamic and impactful.

I look forward to seeing how these insights shape future training initiatives and instructional strategies in ctc programs throughout the state! 

Thanks to Ann Avary for excellence in facilitation and Jamie Wells/Green River College  for hosting!