Introduction. Pedagogical employees of secondary vocational education are a special socio-professional group, which is  subject to  significant changes under the influence of  educational and social environment. Accurate sociological description is  needed to evaluate the challenges the group may face. 

The aim of the article is to characterize the current state of the group of pedagogical employees of secondary vocational education and evaluate the challenges it may face with further functioning. 

Methods. The article uses general scientific methods: theoretical analysis, secondary data analysis, as  well as  applied methods of  sociological research: standardised interviews of teachers and trainers. 

Results. The obtained results outline the features of  socio-professional group of  teaching staff of  secondary vocational education system and give an  idea of  its actual state. Knowing the current functions of the professional group enables the risks of further development of pedagogical employees of secondary vocational education system be evaluated. 

The scientific novelty lies in  capturing the current state of  the group functioning, revealing the risky aspects of its further functioning. 

Practical significance. The results of the study can be used to develop recommendations for the work with the professional groups of teachers of secondary vocational education system, as well as secondary data in the implementation of research on similar topics. 

Funding. The work was carried out within the state task of the Ministry of Education of  the Russian Federation “The Pedagogical Workers of  Professional Education and Science: Recruitment, Professional Adaptation and Social Representation” (applied research, № 073-00104-22-01).