Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for successful entry into the workforce and postsecondary education with a strong focus on technical skills, practical theory, and workplace readiness skills. In addition, CTE helps students see the connection between what they are learning and employers’ needs in the workplace.
CTE provides a critical pathway to success for high school students and offers them opportunities to personalize their education based on their career interests and unique learning styles. CTE courses and programs prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions.
Early career exploration through CTE courses at the middle school level includes course opportunities in Technology Education, Family and Consumer Science, and Computer Science courses. At the high school level, opportunities to explore careers of interest while learning technical and employability skills that integrate into or complement their academic studies. Many high school CTE courses align with postsecondary programs of study or additional training after high school, which may include more specialized technical instruction. These pathways can culminate into postsecondary degrees, certificates, apprenticeships, or employment.