WEAC supports legislation requiring the salary and fringe benefits of part-time technical college instructors to be prorated based on full-time instructors’ pay and benefits.

Great schools benefit everyone, and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) relies on quality instructors who apply their industry experience and knowledge to the classroom to ensure a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce that meets the needs of Wisconsin’s employers. Competitive compensation is critical to attracting and retaining qualified instructors.

Hiring part-time faculty instead of full-time instructors is a growing trend. Approximately 60% of WTCS instructors are part-time teachers. Accompanying this trend is a high turnover rate, possibly attributable to inequitable compensation. Part-time instructors receive disproportionately lower pay and health care coverage even though they meet the same certification standards as full-time teachers. It is estimated that part-time instructors are paid less than 40% of a full-time instructor for teaching the same class.

Investments in great schools build strong communities. If WTCS is to remain one of the best of its kind in the nation in developing a highly skilled workforce, the compensation levels for part-time instructors must be addressed. The state’s future economic success depends upon it.

Additional Information

Contact Deb Sybell, WEAC Legislative Program Coordinator, at 800-362-8034 ext. 227 or by e- mail at sybelld@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.

Posted May 12, 2008