Table 1 General description of departments in study

Sector

Trade

Business

Health technology

Human service

Health service

Program

Apprenticeship

2-year diploma

4-year degree

2-year diploma

2-year diploma

4-year degree

2-year diploma

Pre-requisites

Employment in Trade + English & Math Grade 11

High school diploma

High school diploma

High school diploma

High school diploma

Number of instructors in department

 > 40 instructors

20–40 instructors

10—20 full time

5 to 10 full time

Some part time

 > 40 instructors

Number and sex of instructors interviewed

8 (6 male; 2 female)

4 (1 male, 3 female)

5 (all female)

4 (1 male, 3 female)

6 (all female)

Age of instructors interviewed

2 31–40 yrs old

1 41–50 yrs old

3 51–60 yrs old

2 > 60 yrs old

1 < 31 yrs old

1 31–40 yrs old

1 41–50 yrs old

1 51–60 yrs old

1 < 30 yrs old

2 31–40 yrs old

1 51–60 yrs old

1 > 60 yrs old

1 41–50 yrs old

3 51–60 yrs old

1 31–40 yrs old

1 41–50 yrs old

2 51–60 yrs old

2 > 60 yrs old

Years of teaching experience of instructors interviewed

4 0–2 yrs

3 6–10 yrs

1 11–15 yrs

2 3–5 yrs

1 6–10 yrs

1 11–15 yrs

2 0–2 yrs

1 3–5 yrs

1 16–20 yrs

1 21–25 yrs

1 3–5 yrs

2 6–10 yrs

1 11–15 yrs

1 0–2 yrs

2 3–5 yrs

1 6–10 yrs

1 16–20 yrs

1 > 25 yrs

Chairs interviewed

(Authors, 2017)

Blake (chair, 6 months)

Drew (associate chair, 2 yrs)

Connor (Chair, 2 yrs)

Parker (chair, 3 yrs)

Lane (associate chair, 2 yrs)

Sam (chair, 7 yrs)

Corey (chair, 3 weeks)

Trade/Profession specific values

Safety, efficiency

Accuracy, professionalism

Precision, detail, accuracy

Empathy, professionalism, ethics, respect

Patient safety; quality care

Trade/Profession specific regulations

Building code, Safety regulations

Integrity, due care, professionalism

Strict protocols; standards of practice

Much room for professional judgement, governmental directions and protocols

Standards of practice; code of ethics

Industry required PD for registered professionals, incl. instructors

None

Minimum 30 h of PD per year

Set learning goals, implement learning plan and report on progress

None

Set learning goals, implement learning plan and report on progress

Offices

Several office hubs on same campus

One office hub

Three main hubs on same campus

One office hub around a shared space

Several office hubs multiple campuses

Curriculum

Government mandated learning modules and course packs

Accredited by professional body; institutional quality guidelines

Accredited by professional body; institutional quality guidelines

Created by instructors; institutional quality guidelines

Accredited by professional body; institutional quality guidelines

Staff meetings

Once every two months; top down information sharing

Once every three months; Alternating (1) top-down information sharing OR (2) customized workshop

Monthly, combination of top-down information sharing and group discussion

Monthly, discussion of current practices, discussion of individual student issues; two-day spring retreat

Monthly, each meeting includes top down information sharing, presentations on relevant issues, some discussion

Collective digital space to share resources

Yes, well used

Yes

Yes, some use it

None

Yes, one digital space per course

Teaching assignments

Instructors rotate courses, and spend about three years teaching first year courses, then three years in 2nd year etc

By specialty

By specialty

By specialty

Groups of instructors by specialty and delivery mode (online, f2f, lab, clinical)