Because of a documented need for more and better trained vocational education teachers, including those from industry, an alternative approach to teacher preparation, called performance-based teacher education (PBTE), was developed. PBTE is an approach to instructor preparation in which (1) the training program is based on the competencies (specific job tasks) required of successful vocational and technical instructors, and (2) the instructor must not only obtain certain knowledge but is also required to demonstrate the essential teaching skills in an actual instructional situation. The modules provide essential elements and desirable characteristics for each skill area. They were developed following research on teacher competencies. The module development process was structured to ensure maximum involvement of persons representing all occupational areas who were actively engaged in vocational instructor preparation. The modules were designed to be used by individuals or groups of teacher-trainees or inservice instructors. They provide learning experiences that integrate theory and application and culminate with assessment, and they are flexible. The modules were field tested, revised, and retested. They are now in use in many college and universities as well as in staff development programs. (An overview of some of the programs in which the PBTE modules are being used is included in this paper.) (KC)