Career & Technical

CTE surge: Sixth grade is never too early for welding!

Michigan's Orchard View Pubic Schools is boosting engagement by sending sixth-graders to a local career tech center to begin exploring—and experiencing—a wide range of potential careers. 

How to steer students toward “skilled-collar” career opportunities

Roles in fields such as wind energy, robotics, hybrid and EV repair and welding are expanding career choices beyond white- or blue-collar to include a new breed, the "skilled-collar."

Not enough Black students are being exposed to STEM careers

A substantial number of Black students have the aptitude but not the access to in-demand STEM and CTE fields. This exposure gap is even wider for Black girls, a new report warns.

9 ways to partner with businesses to boost CTE programs

Businesses will derive significant benefits from developing strong relationships with your school, your students and your CTE programs. 

Educational requirements for jobs are starting to disappear. How is K12 responding?

In fact, in the last five years the share of job postings that require at least a college degree fell from 20.4% to 17.8%, according to Indeed. Are schools adapting to this trend?

Buzzword watch: ‘Durable skills’ are the new soft skills

Soft skills nudged the phrase 21st century skills out of the K12 lexicon and now it's being replaced by this latest college-and-career-oriented buzzword: Durable skills.

Non-degree pathways: Students and parents want to know more

Education leaders are encouraged to cover college and career options more comprehensively in middle school and offer more opportunities for parents to learn about post-graduation alternatives.

In-demand careers: Gender bias in K12 schools may be perpetuating a lack of exposure for students

Students have the natural talent to fill the nation’s most in-demand careers in healthcare, manufacturing, technology and finance. Education leaders may, however, be concerned that not enough students are being exposed to these fields, according to YouScience's 2024 State of the Future U.S. Workforce report.

What will drive more urgency around career prep in 2024?

Pressures on the wider U.S. workforce caused by a lack of workers with the requisite skills will drive more collaboration between K12 schools and employers.

6 key moves for leaders who want to accelerate career pathways

If you've built a career pathways program, you know it's a complex undertaking that requires outreach and collaboration with local business and organizations. If you're only in the preliminary phase, the good news is those who have developed successful initiatives have plenty of lessons to share.