Jennifer Vansickle, 18, is an instructor at Atlantic Cirque, an agency and school for circus arts. Always an athlete, she was the first to sign up for training at the school when it opened five years ago and then became a teacher in 2005. (DARREN PITTMAN/ Staff)

By STEVE PROCTOR
Business Editor

JENNIFER VANSICKLE has made a career out of suspending herself in the air adorned in dazzling makeup and brightly coloured costumes.

She is an instructor at Atlantic Cirque, an agency and school for circus arts, including trapeze work, contortion and juggling.

Always an athlete, she was the first to sign up for training at the school when it opened five years ago and then became a teacher.

"I came in for a class, tried it out and have loved it ever since," said the bubbly 18-year-old, who has been instructing children and adults in aerial and floor acrobatics since 2005. Ms. Vansickle said in a recent interview that although they are learning many of the same things, there is a crucial difference between teaching children and grownups.

"Kids (are) not really afraid of anything, but the adults are way more cautious," she said.

The key to safety in her line of work is patience, she said.

"You're using a lot of different muscles when you're doing circus arts, so you have to take it really slow with people at first to make sure that they're not going to be really sore the next morning or hurt themselves."

Conditioning the body to adapt to the strenuous physical demands of acrobatics can be a challenge, she said. But the appeal lies in the creativity of the art, which she tries to stir in her students.

"You can make up your own moves and create your own atmosphere with your routine," said Ms. Vansickle.

"I'm passionate about it. ...I like being able to pass on what I love to other people."

WHAT DO THEY DO?
This group includes instructors who teach courses at community colleges, career colleges, agricultural colleges and technical institutes, as well as trainers who are employed by companies and governments to teach internal- training and development courses.

College and vocational instructors teach adults, either recent high school graduates or those who have returned to prepare for work in a variety of occupations. Instructors usually specialize in particular fields of study, such as cosmetology, visual arts or broadcasting.

About half the people in these occupations work full time and for the full year. People in these fields generally work regular hours, although some evening work may be required.

WHO WORKS IN THESE JOBS?
To work as an instructor, you should be patient, imaginative, objective and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to com­municate ideas in a clear, concise and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary.

Instructors must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed about new material or methods of teaching.

Eighty-seven per cent of career and vocational instructors have formal post-secondary education or training; 21 per cent have postgraduate degrees. Ten per cent work part time and six per cent are self-employed.

Just over half the instructors are 45 years or older, and 55 per cent are men.

WHERE DO THEY WORK?
Annapolis Valley 12 per cent
Cape Breton 17 per cent
Halifax 47 per cent
North Shore 15 per cent
Southern N.S. 9 per cent

WHAT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
Academic and training requirements vary according to the specific occupation. Generally, instructors need experience in their field, a licence or certificate in fields where these usually are required for full professional status and either teaching experience or training in instructional methods.

To be approved by the Education Department to work in a registered private career college, an instructor usually requires a bachelor's degree and one year of work experience in the occupation to be taught; a certificate or diploma from a community college, trade school or private career college; a bachelor of education degree and two years of work experience; or a minimum of five years of work experience.

WHAT ARE WORK PROSPECTS?
Employment growth is expected to remain stable for these occupations because of employers. ongoing need for a highly trained workforce, particularly in new technology. Demand for skills certification in the trades, projected increases in enrolment and higher government spending on education will spur demand for these occupations. A significant number of job openings due to attrition is expected.

There are planned expansions for campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College, which may lead to a growth in programming and increased enrolment. Funding is also on the rise for continuing education programs across the province. Nova Scotia's aging population and a demand for skilled workers has led to increasing enrolments in adult learning programs and in Nova Scotia's apprenticeship program. Many college or vocational instructors are employed in part-time or short-term positions. This allows institutions to provide flexibility with their curricu­lum and adapt to fluctuations in student enrolment.

LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION
Outlook: Good
Employment in 2005: 2,300
Estimated average annual number of job openings for new workers: 118
Earnings in 2005: Wages averaged $24.75 an hour with a maximum of $45.50
Typical Jobs: Community college teacher, commercial art instructor, company trainer, computer training instructor, hairdressing teacher.

For information, or to explore over 300 other careers in Nova Scotia, visit the Education Department's Career Options website: novascotiacareeroptions.ca

On the Job is a weekly feature looking at career opportunities in Nova Scotia. Past columns are archived at www.jobspress.com