From Industry to Institution: Teachers in Transition

This study within Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology) invited trade tutors to discuss their transition from industry to institution and aimed to uncover how their existing knowledge and skill can best be supported while new skills and knowledge developed.

The study found that trade tutors experienced challenges in developing a new role identity and needed to turn their industry knowledge into academic knowledge.

New tutors found it a big leap that required a change of mind-set in learning to get down to a first time learner’s level, and understanding the level of pastoral care needed. 

Several recommendations were made as to how the organisation might better provide for this transition. New trade tutors fresh from industry need support and guidance from experienced colleagues who have walked this path themselves to maintain their integrity as trade-based teaching professionals.