CTE Pathways: Everything To Know

CTE pathways (Career and Technical Education pathways) are educational programs that combine academic learning with real-world skills to help students prepare for their future careers. These programs guide students through a series of courses focused on specific career fields. They also allow students to explore what they love while picking up practical skills that employers are looking for.

The Purpose of CTE Pathways

The goal of CTE pathways is to prepare students for a variety of post-high school options, such as starting a job right after high school, pursuing additional training in vocational institutions aligned with certification or licensure, or heading off to college. By choosing a CTE pathway, students can build valuable skills and boost their readiness for both college and careers after graduation.

Importance of CTE in Today’s Education System

Career and Technical Education is important in today’s education system because it connects classroom learning with real-world skills. While a four-year college degree is what is best for some students, long gone are the days of needing a college degree to be successful in a fulfilling career.

CTE programs help both students who want to pursue a college degree, and those who don’t, explore potential careers through hands-on experience and knowledge that prepares them for a variety of careers before having invested time and money in an area they really know little about before committing to it.

Additionally, CTE programs directly address the significant skills gap challenges currently present in the ever-evolving workforce. In the US, many “middle-skill” jobs that require a high school diploma or its equivalent go unfilled as the number of jobs far exceeds the number of qualified individuals available to fill them. As a result, not only are individual career prospects hindered as they lack the knowledge and skills needed to fill these spots, this gap also affects the country’s economic competitiveness.

The good news is that CTE programs equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed for these in-demand positions. According to the US Department of Education, around 30 million jobs offer median earnings of $55,000 or more without requiring a bachelor’s degree.

When students participate in CTE, they can tap into these opportunities and gain hands-on experience as well as industry-relevant training that prepares them for successful careers. By combining academic subjects with career-focused training, CTE programs provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for both college and their future careers.

What Makes Up CTE Pathways?

CTE pathways are structured educational programs that include the following key components to help prepare students for successful careers:

• A Set of Leveled Courses: These courses focus on specific career areas or industries so students can explore what interests them, allowing them to delve deeper into the subject area and gain further understanding.‍
• Hands-On Learning: Students engage in practical activities that help them learn by doing.‍
• Mixing Academics with Skills: CTE pathways connect traditional academic subjects with technical training to make learning more relevant and impactful.‍
• Opportunities for Further Education: Many pathways provide options for further education, such as community college programs or industry certifications.‍
• Real-World Experience: Some pathways include internships or apprenticeships that give students valuable exposure to the job market before they graduate.

Career Pathways Available for Students

CTE offers a variety of career pathways that prepare students for various fields. Here’s a quick overview of some options available:

1. Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 

The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) career cluster is centered on vital life elements such as food, water, land, and air. It includes a diverse range of occupations, including farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, geologists, land conservationists, and florists.

2. Architecture and Construction 

The Architecture and Construction career cluster centers on the design, planning, management, construction, and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. It encompasses a variety of occupations, including architects, carpenters, construction managers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.

3. Arts, Audio Visual Technology & Communications 

The Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communication (AAVTC) career cluster emphasizes the creation and management of multimedia content. It involves skills in design, production, performance, writing, and publishing, requiring creativity, technology proficiency, and strong communication abilities. Occupations in this cluster include camera operators, audio and video technicians, directors, producers, graphic designers, and web designers.

4. Business, Marketing, and Finance 

The Business, Marketing, and Finance career cluster emphasizes careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating essential business functions for effective operations. Occupations in this cluster include business owners, entrepreneurs, accountants, retail managers, and market analysts.

5. Education & Training

The Education and Training career cluster is dedicated to planning, managing, and delivering educational services and support. It includes various roles such as teaching assistants, classroom teachers, and school administrators.

6. Energy

The Energy career cluster equips individuals for roles in designing, processing, planning, maintaining, generating, transmitting, and distributing both traditional and alternative energy. Occupations in this cluster include petroleum engineers, rotary drill operators, chemical technicians, power plant operators, solar photovoltaic installers, and wind turbine service technicians.

7. Health Science

The Health Science career cluster emphasizes planning, managing, and delivering therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research. Occupations in this cluster include medical assistants, registered nurses, physical therapists, forensic science technicians, and athletic trainers.

8. Hospitality & Tourism

The Hospitality and Tourism career cluster centers on the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants, lodging, attractions, recreational events, and travel services. Occupations in this cluster include reservation and transportation ticket agents, event planners, and general managers.

9. Human Services

The Human Services career cluster prepares individuals for roles related to families and human needs, including counseling, mental health services, family and community support, personal care, and consumer services. Occupations in this cluster range from community health workers to cosmetologists and nutritionists.

10. Information Technology

The Information Technology (IT) career cluster focuses on the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. Occupations in this cluster include software developers, programmers, cybersecurity specialists, and network analysts.

11. Law & Public Service

The Law and Public Service career cluster emphasizes planning, managing, and delivering legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, along with professional and technical support. Occupations in this cluster include police officers, firefighters, political scientists, and lawyers.

12. Manufacturing

The Manufacturing career cluster is centered on planning, managing, and processing materials into intermediate or final products. It also includes professional and technical support activities like production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.

13. Engineering

The Engineering career cluster centers on planning, designing, testing, building, and maintaining machines, structures, materials, systems, and processes using scientific and mathematical principles. Occupations in this cluster include mechanical engineers, drafters, electrical engineers, and mapping technicians.

14. Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

The Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics career cluster focuses on the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods across various modes, including road, pipeline, air, rail, and water. It encompasses transportation infrastructure planning, logistics services, and maintenance of mobile equipment and facilities. Occupations in this cluster include automotive mechanics, avionics technicians, automotive entrepreneurs, pilots, and logistics planning professionals.

What Are the Advantages of CTE?

Career and Technical Education brings several benefits that can make a real difference in students’ lives. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Improved Graduation Rates

Recent statistics show that students who complete three or more CTE classes tend to graduate high school at roughly 10% points higher than the national average graduation rate. That is because when students find their studies relevant and engaging, they’re more likely to stay motivated and finish school.

2. Higher Student Engagement

CTE connects academic concepts to real-world applications, helping students see the value in what they’re learning and making it easier for them to stick with their education. This kind of active involvement leads to better learning outcomes and also helps students feel more connected to their peers and their school community.

3. Increased Satisfaction Among Students and Their Families

CTE pathways often lead to happier students and their families alike. Students appreciate the chance to explore their career interests and gain practical skills that will serve them well in the future. Families value this focus on real-world skills, knowing it can lead to stable jobs after graduation.

4. Preparation for Real-World Skills

CTE equips students with essential skills that are directly applicable in the workforce. With a focus on both technical know-how and important soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, CTE helps students become well-rounded individuals ready to tackle whatever comes their way in their careers. Employers are on the lookout for these skills, which makes CTE graduates stand out in the job market.

5. Career Opportunities

Through CTE programs, students gain exposure to various career paths and industries, allowing them to make informed choices about their futures. Many CTE pathways include internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing opportunities that provide valuable experience and networking opportunities that can lead to job offers after graduation or recommendations to prestigious educational programs for those who wish to attain a college degree.

Empowering Student Success

CTE pathways are important for preparing students for success. They enhance engagement, improve graduation rates, and equip students with valuable real-world skills. CTE connects academic concepts to practical applications, which helps students understand the importance of their education and motivates them to succeed.

To further support high school students, schools can consider Pathways, our innovative tool that simplifies tracking student progress toward graduation. With Pathways, schools can efficiently manage student data and ensure that every student is on track for a successful transition to college or career opportunities.

If your school is interested in new ways to improve the learning experience for children, you may also be interested in automating tasks and streamlining processes so that your teachers have more time to teach. Education Advanced offers a suite of tools that make it easier:

• Evaluation: A solution for documenting every step of the staff evaluation process, including walk-throughs, self-evaluations, supporting evidence, reporting, and performance analytics.
• Pathways: A graduation tracking tool that enables administrators and counselors to create, track, and analyze graduation pathways, ensuring secondary students stay on track to graduate.‍
• TestHound: Our test accommodation software helps schools coordinate thousands of students across all state and local K-12 assessments while considering various accommodations, such as for reading disabilities, physical disabilities, and translations.