Q What is career and technical education?

A Career and technical education prepares both youth and adults for a wide range of careers. These careers may require varying levels of education – from high school and postsecondary certificates to two- and four-year college degrees.

Q What subject areas are covered by career and technical education?

A Career and technical education covers a variety of challenging fields in diverse subject areas which are constantly evolving due to the changing global economy. Some of the career areas that students may enter through career and technical education include: Agriculture (farmers, animal scientists, turf grass specialists); Trade and Industrial (automotive technicians, carpenters, electricians); Business and Marketing (entrepreneurs, financial officers, arts/graphics designers); Family and Consumer Sciences (management and life skills, executive chefs, hotel managers); Health Occupations (nurses, physical therapists, biomedical engineers); Public Safety and Security (EMTs, emergency management and response coordinators); and Technology (3D animator, computer engineer, biotechnical engineer).

Q Is career and technical education only for students who are not college bound?

A No. Career and technical education can provide a foundation of skills that enables high school graduates to be gainfully employed — either full-time or while in college. Nearly two-thirds of all high school graduates of career and technical programs enter some form of postsecondary program. Rigorous academic content tied to technical subject matter ensures that these students will be ready for college. The internships and other cooperative work experiences that are a hallmark of technical education are attractive to all students who want to get a head start on a career, whether that career goal is doctor or nurse, automotive technician or computer scientist. Student career organizations for every subject area also help students acquire the employability and leadership skills that will enable them to succeed in the workplace. Tech Prep programs link high school and community college curricula to help students make a smooth transition to postsecondary education and careers.

Q Is there any proof career and technical education works?

A Yes, according to many studies. Career and technical education graduates are 10-15 percent more likely to be in the labor force, and earn 8-9 percent more than graduates of academic programs, according to a 2001 Russell Sage Foundation study. A ratio of one CTE class for every two academic classes was shown to minimize the risk of students dropping out in a 2005 National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NCCTE) report. Career and technical education concentrators take more and higher level math than their general education counterparts, according to a 2002 NCCTE study. ACTE has more evidence that career and technical education works on the Research and Resources Web page