Moreover, federal government jobs on organized education and teaching for adults has existed in America since early colonial times, when courses were started to help people make up for schooling they might have missed as children or to help them prepare for jobs. Apprenticeships were an early form of vocational education in the American colonies as individuals were taught a craft by working with a skilled person in a particular field. For example, a young boy might agree to work for printer for five to ten years and at the end of that time would have the ability and opportunity to open up his own printing business. Training programs continued to develop as carpenters, bricklayers, and other craftspeople learned their skills through vocational training courses.
Peak periods in adult education typically occurred during times of large waves of immigration. Evening schools filled with foreign-born persons eager to learn the language and culture of their new home and to prepare for the tests necessary of citizenship. Following the Civil War, the United States witnessed an educational renaissance characterized by the emergence of hundreds of literary societies and reading circles. But it has been the twentieth century that has culminated these sporadic efforts into a real movement. In the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution, the impact of science and technology on patterns of living has become so great that people need continuing education to adapt their lifestyles. Also, the rise in educational levels with each generation has spawned a new appreciation for education: the more people learn, the more they want to learn. Eventually, the increase of opportunities and government employment came to emerge In 1911, Wisconsin established the first State Board of Vocational and Adult Education in the country, and in 1917 the federal government threw its support behind the continuing education movement by funding vocational training in public schools for individuals over the age of fourteen. Immediately after World War II, the U.S. federal government took another large stride in financial support of adult and vocational education by creating the G.I. Bill of Rights, which provided money for veterans to pursue further job training.
Following the increasing offer for the state government jobs, some colleges and universities, vocational high schools, private trade schools, private businesses, and other organizations, eventually offer adults the opportunity to prepare for a specific occupation or pursue personal enrichment. Remarkably, more than twenty million people in the United States take advantage of this opportunity each year, creating many jobs for teachers in this field. Adult and vocational education courses take place in a variety of settings, such as high schools, universities, religious institutions, and businesses. Job responsibilities entail many of the same skills as that of a full-time teacher, including planning and conducting lectures, supervising the use of equipment, grading homework, evaluating students, writing and preparing reports, and counseling students.
Having a government career as adult education teachers is a noble job. Most of its functions are concerned with either basic education or continuing education. Basic education includes reading, writing, and mathematics courses and is designed for students who have not finished high school yet who are too old to attend a regular high school courses. Many of these student return to school to earn the equivalent of a high-school diploma (GED). Basic education teachers should be able to deal with students at different skill levels, including some who might not have learned proper study habits. These teachers should be able to clearly explain information that is often complex and unfamiliar. Patience and good communication skills are important.
Furthermore, adult education teachers who focus on continuing education ordinarily instruct students who have finished high school or college and are taking courses for personal enrichment. Class topics might include history, art appreciation, photography, and a host of other subjects. Teachers should be well versed in their field and be able to communicate knowledge and enthusiasm. Adult education teachers must also be able to teach students who are at different levels of activity and be able to demonstrate techniques if a particular skill, such as painting, as being taught. Vocational education teachers generally prepare students for specific careers that do not require a college degree, such as cosmetologist, chef, or automobile repair. It even provides a clear opportunity for them to get government jobs.
