Many students, parents and guardians don’t know about the range of opportunities available to high school students to prepare for employment through a combination of classroom instruction and hands on learning. Often these high school courses are called Career and Technical Education or CTE. When a student engages in CTE, they may be able to connect to career path employment right out of high school – starting down an in-demand career path that doesn’t require a post-secondary degree to get started. CTE classes can also prepare students for success in a post-secondary certificate or degree program.
CTE courses integrate core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge and skills to provide students a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. CareerForce engages with CTE instructors and students in various ways. Leading CareerForce partner Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shares information to help students explore career options and find out what kind of education and training is required for their career path of interest. CareerForce staff reach out to CTE instructors and students to share information about local employment opportunities and to work together on career exploration events large and small. And CareerForce staff can help guide people in exploring CTE opportunities available in their area to help determine what might be the best option.
Resources:
- View newly updated career cluster content that’s aligned with the latest CTE standards on CareerOneStop.org.
- Research from DEED’s Labor Market Information Office explores which CTE course topics lead to higher wages, how educational attainment pathways after high school vary by CTE course topic and which industries employ CTE participants after high school.
- Learn about CTE jamborees held around Minnesota:
- Reach out to a CareerForce location near you for information about opportunities in your part of Minnesota
