What is Career and Technical Education?

What is Career and Technical Education? The Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) describes the goals of CTE as including"...helping students, workers and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their working potential. " The same source states that CTE emphasizes contextual learning, employability skills, and career exploration. CTE also represents training and added degree opportunities for the unemployed and others seeking to broaden their skill sets, thus improving their employability and chances of career advancement (ACTE, 2007).

Most people think of CTE as elective courses in high school with such courses as Auto Mechanics, Marketing, Agriculture, Carpentry, Health, and Industry. The CTE curriculum appeals to a diverse group of students, with almost every high school student earning at least some credits in CTE courses. (Scott, Sarkees-Wircenski) The goal of CTE is to prepare students for the workforce, and to give employeers trained workers. Historically, the purpose of CTE has been to prepare students for entry level jobs in occupations requiring less than a baccalaureate degree. Over the last decade CTE has developed academic, vocational, and technical skills of students. Incorporating these skills have helped develop math skills, reading skills, a renewed interest in science, and developing ever-changing techology skills. Students take more interest in academics when it is incorporated with CTE courses. When learning "hands on" and how math, science and reading fit in the real world, it makes sense to the student why they need these academic courses. Instead of sitting in a class room, they put in use fractions, anatomy, geometry, reading and following directions into something they can see and use.

With an interest in CTE courses, it is highly likely students may have difficulty with regular academic courses but those who are potential drop-outs will want to stay in school. In the post-secondary setting, with unemployment numbers rising each day, CTE courses train laid-off workers for new job skills in areas where employment is likely to be higher.