About CTE

About CTE

Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides all students access to high-quality, rigorous career-focused programs that result in attainment of credentials with labor market value.

Overview

CTE is an essential component of the total educational system in Utah and is critical to the country's ability to compete in a global economy.

Role of Secondary CTE

CTE is provided in a variety of settings and levels, including middle school/junior high career exploration, secondary programs, postsecondary certificates and degrees, and customized training for employees in the workplace.

  • Provide Career and Technical Education in the state’s K-12 system of public education.
  • Introduce students to career options.
  • Assist in development of career goals.
  • Provide technical skills.
  • Provide occupation-specific skills.
  • Prepare students for further education and training.

CTE Career Pathways

Through participation in CTE Career Pathways, students learn how to become productive employees and gain the academic skills to increase their earning potential while still in high school.  Utah CTE Career Pathways are categorized by 13 Career Clusters and each Career Pathway culminates in an industry-recognized credential of value.

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Architecture and Construction
Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
Business, Finance and Marketing
Computer Science and Information Technology
Education and Training
Engineering and Technology

Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Enrollment

177,959 secondary students enrolled in CTE courses.  CTE student have many opportunities to participate in hands-on learning experiences as well as the opportunity to earn a credential prior to graduating from high school.

Graduation Rate

The graduation rate for students who are CTE concentrators stands at 96.5% compared to Utah's state-wide graduation rate of  88.2%

Concentrators

70.7% of students who concentrated in a CTE Career Pathway placed in postsecondary education, advanced training, military service, or employment.

The vision of Utah’s secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs is to prepare students for success by providing them with relevant and rigorous learning experiences that align with the needs of Utah’s workforce and connect them to postsecondary opportunities.

Utah’s secondary CTE programs are guided by the following principles:

  • Every student has the opportunity for success by graduating from high school with an industry credential and a connection to a postsecondary program (first credential).
  • Every student has the opportunity to access CTE programs regardless of geographic location, through a variety of delivery modes, including online, blended, and face-to-face.
  • Every student has the opportunity to engage in hands-on and project-based learning that fosters creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Utah’s secondary CTE programs are designed to support students in exploring their career aptitudes and interests, discovering their passions and developing their potential. CTE programs help students develop the knowledge and skills that are essential for success in careers in a dynamic and diverse world.

The promise of CTE is to provide opportunities for each learner to follow their passion and to access, feel welcome in, fully participate in, and successfully complete a high-quality CTE program of study.

CTE Facts

Did You Know?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides all students access to high-quality, rigorous career focused programs that result in attainment of credential with labor market value?

Career and Technical Education encompasses a variety of programs structured to equip students for college and career readiness. In Utah, 177,959 students participate in CTE courses that help the explore career options and develop occupational skills. The curriculum of CTE gives students the practical experience they need to succeed through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory work, and on-the-job training.

CTE courses and programs are delivered through 170 public middle/junior high schools, 154 public high schools and charter schools, and seven CTE centers. Most Utah colleges and universities offer postsecondary CTE programs.

Career and Technical Education jump-starts students’ careers by preparing them for postsecondary education and training for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations while they are still in high school. By following a CTE Career Pathway, students become college and career ready. Career Pathways give students many kinds of opportunities to acquire job skills and to get a head start in selected college programs. In Utah, all graduating students have taken a CTE course in high school. In 2018, 69.4 percent of Utah high school graduates attended college within one year of graduating from high school (Utah System of Higher Education, High School Feedback Report, High School Graduating Class of 2018).

Preparing students for a meaningful career is an important goal of Career and Technical Education because of the widening skills gap in the nation’s workforce.

Career and Technical Education prepares students for tomorrow’s workplace. Career and Technical Education educators work closely with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and Utah employers to make sure students have the skills the labor market demands.

Career Clusters

Utah Career Pathways align with and are categorized by the national Career Clusters, which include:

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Architecture and Construction
Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
Business, Finance and Marketing
Computer Science and Information Technology
Education and Training
Engineering and Technology

Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Utah CTE Supporting Programs

College and Career Awareness
Assists students in identifying their interests, abilities, and skills. The program offers exploration and preparation in college and career pathways focusing on jobs that are high-skill and in-demand, as well as satisfying and rewarding.

Skill Certificate Program
Provides statewide competency-based student assessments. Student skill attainment is measured by core standards and competencies needed to be successful in the workforce.

Work-Based Learning
Gives students the opportunity to learn a variety of skills by expanding the walls of classroom learning to include the community. By narrowing the gap between theory and practice, Work-Based Learning creates meaning for students.

Career and Technical Education Produces Results

Dropout Prevention
  • In 2022, Utah high schools graduated 88.2 percent of their students.
  • In 2022, the Utah's graduation rate increased from 84.3 percent in 2015 to 88.2 percent in 2022.
  • In 2021, the Utah high school dropout rate was 10 percent.
  • Students attending CTE high schools demonstrate higher rates of on-time graduation and credit accumulation and a greater likelihood of successfully finishing a college prep math sequence.1
  • CTE students are significantly more likely to report developing problem-solving, project completion, research, work-related, communication, time management and critical thinking skills during high school.2
  • By linking student learning to career pathways, work-based learning programs can lower the dropout rate.3
Hands-on Approach
  • Career and Technical Education uses a hands-on approach that teaching experts believe is more effective with many students than reading or listening to lectures alone.
  • Through Work-Based Learning activities, students participate in internships, job shadows, field studies, and career fairs. Through these activities students have the opportunity to see how classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future career opportunities.
  • Learning for Jobs concludes that, done well, Work-Based Learning appears to be the best way for the majority of young people to prepare for the world of work.4
  • The most intensive forms of workplace learning-apprenticeship and sustained internships-are especially effective in meeting the developmental needs of young people.4
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
  • CTSOs help students develop leadership skills and positive work values, while reinforcing the Career and Technical Education curriculum.
  • Eight student organizations include: DECA, Educators Rising, FCCLA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA.
  • In Utah, 19,127 secondary and postsecondary students participate in student leadership organizations.
College and Career Ready
  • Today's best CTE programs do a better job of preparing many students for college and career than traditional academics-only programs.5
  • Nationwide, more than 85 percent of CTE students are planning to continue on to postsecondary education.5
  • Six out of ten students are planning to pursue a career related to the CTE area they are exploring in high school.5
  • Almost one-third of CTE students have the opportunity to earn college credit and/or an industry certification through CTE.5
  • 80 percent of students taking a college prep academic curriculum with rigorous CTE meet college and career readiness goals, compared to only 63 percent of students taking the same academic core who did not experience rigorous CTE.6
Job Placement
  • The more CTE courses students take, the less likely they are to suffer periods of unemployment.
  • High school students who graduate with a Career and Technical Education concentration are 2.5 times more likely to be employed while pursuing postsecondary education.
  • CTE students obtain skills to help them get jobs in the future.5
  • Eighteen of the 20 fastest growing occupations within the next decade will require Career and Technical Education.7
  • There are many high-tech jobs in Utah that students can perform as a result of taking CTE courses while in high school.
  • Career and Technical Education enables students to acquire the skills necessary for entry into postsecondary training and careers with high potential for rapid financial growth, increased levels of responsibility, and a high degree of personal satisfaction.
On-the-Job Productivity
  • Today's labor market requires that workers have more advanced training and postsecondary education. As a result, CTE graduates are more employable and have higher earnings.
  • Career and Technical Education in the high schools closes the workforce gap by giving students a jump-start in obtaining essential life skills and certified occupational skills.
  • Career and Technical Education reduces the workforce gap by providing long-term job education and skills training for students, enabling them to reach their full potential. Studies reveal a strong correlation between education/technical skill levels and continued employment/lifelong earnings.
  • Postsecondary CTE concentrators earn significantly more than those who majored in academic fields, particularly when employed in an industry related to their program of study.8
Encouragement for Future Learning
  • Since 1973, jobs that require at least some college have exploded, while opportunities for those with just a high school education have shrunk dramatically.6  Through hands-on training, CTE prepares students for college and careers by helping them obtain the technical skills to advance in the highly competitive workforce of the 21st century.
  • There are eight postsecondary institutions in Utah that offer technical programs, including community colleges, technical institutes, skill centers, and other public and private two-year and four-year colleges.
  • In Utah, there are 177,959 secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education students.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, approximately 12 million secondary and postsecondary students nationwide participate in Career and Technical Education.

1Neild et al., The Academic Impacts of Career and Technical Schools: A Case Study of a Large Urban School District, 2013.
2Lekes et al., CTE Pathways Programs, Academic Performance and the Transition to College and Career, National Research Center to CTE, 2007.
3National Academy Foundation (NAF), 20 I I.
4Harvard Graduate School of Education Pathways to Prosperity Project, 2011.
5myCollegeOptions.org/ACTE Cooperative Research Program 2015.
6Southern Regional Education Board, High Schools That Work 2012 Assessment.
7Okou. PSU, 2004.
8Jacobson and Miker, Florida Study of Career and Technical Education, 2014, as cited in the 2014 National Assessment of CTE Final Report.

Our vision is to see that every student has the opportunity to explore a variety of career areas, throughout high school, that will equip him or her with the academic knowledge, technical and employment skills vital for entry into the evolving workforce of the 21st century.

CTE Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Purpose of Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

CTE provides all students access to high-quality, rigorous career-focused programs that result in attainment of credentials with labor market value. The structured training each student receives gives him or her the tools needed to be successful in a career after high school and/or further his or her postsecondary education, whether technical school, two-year college, or four-year college. Each student is encouraged to explore various CTE Career Pathways and to develop the essential skills to feel competent in entering today's competitive job market.

What Are CTE Career Pathways?

A Career Pathway is a sequence of courses within a student's area of interest that connects to career interests and serves as an educational road map, leading to a credential. Utah has developed 35 CTE Career Pathways, that align with the national Career Clusters.

What Subject Areas Are Covered by CTE?

From agriculture to engineering to health science to manufacturing. CTE offers 35 CTE Career Pathways within 13 CTE Career Clusters.

Is CTE Only for Students Who Are Not College-Bound?

No. Career and Technical Education is essential for all students, providing them with a foundation of academic knowledge and essential technical skills. CTE courses and programs introduce students to career options and assist them in making informed educational choices.

How Is CTE Funded?

CTE funding is based on the regular Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU), including incentives to provide Career and Technical Education in schools throughout the state. CTE funding is also supplemented with a federal appropriation through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

Where Is CTE Offered?

CTE courses and programs are delivered through 170 public middle/jr. high schools, 154 public high schools and charter schools, and seven CTE centers. Most Utah colleges and universities offer postsecondary CTE programs.

How Is CTE Offered?

Students in grades K-12 are exposed to various aspects of Career and Technical Education.

Kindergarten – Sixth Grade
Students have the opportunity to see how classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future career opportunities. Through the Core Curriculum, students see connections to the real world; through guest speakers and field studies, students gain understanding of the world of work and how learning today connects with careers of the future.

Middle School/Junior High CTE
Through the College and Career Awareness program, typically taught in the seventh grade, every student is involved in activity-centered lessons that utilize technology, develop skills, and explore careers. College and Career Awareness offers exploration and preparation in college and career pathways focusing on jobs that are high-skill and in-demand, as well as satisfying and financially rewarding. The course is design to help students identify their interests, abilities, and skills.

High School CTE
Students begin to acquire specific job training skills as they continue to take courses that meet their interests and abilities. A rich offering of courses lead students to employment, further education, or training offered in all high schools. Students have opportunities to take concurrent enrollment courses, which provide them with college credit while in high school. The CTE Skill Certificate program provides certification of specific occupational skills that students can take to employers or to postsecondary institutions.

What Other Support and Opportunities Are Available to Students?

Comprehensive Guidance Program
Assists students through specific self-appraisal and self-improvement activities, in the development of a Plan for College and Career Readiness, to effectively meet educational goals.

Work-Based Learning Program
Gives students opportunities to see how classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future careers.

How Many CTE Students Are in Utah?

  • In Utah, there are 177,979 secondary and 78,989 postsecondary students enrolled in CTE courses.
  • Nationwide 12 million secondary and postsecondary students participate in Career and Technical Education.

How Many CTE Programs Are in Utah?

In Utah, CTE programs are offered in all public high schools, middle/junior high schools, and some charter schools. There are eight postsecondary institutions in Utah that offer technical programs, including community colleges, technical colleges, technical education centers, and other public and private two-year and four-year colleges.

How Does CTE Prepare Students for College and Career?

  • Students participate in a CTE Career Pathway.
  • Students complete appropriate academic and skill development courses.
  • Students participate in concurrent enrollment courses that meet degree requirements.
  • Students complete related state or industry skill assessments.
  • Students earn industry-recognized credentials of value.

Is There Any Proof That CTE Works?

Yes.

  • Students attending CTE high schools demonstrate higher rates of on-time graduation and credit accumulation and a greater likelihood of successfully finishing a college prep math sequence.1
  • Nationwide, more than 85 percent of CTE students are planning to continue on to postsecondary education.2

How Can I Learn More about CTE?

Talk to your high school counselor or contact us for more information.

1Neild et al.. The Academic Impacts of Career and Technical Schools: A Case Study of a Large Urban School District, 2013.
2myCollegeOptions.org/ACTE Cooperative Research Program 201S.

Our vision is to see that every student has the opportunity to explore a variety of career areas, throughout high school, that will equip him or her with the academic knowledge, technical and employment skills vital for entry into the evolving workforce of the 21st century.

Pathways Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a CTE Career Pathway? 

A CTE Career Pathway is a sequence of courses within a student's area of interest that connects to career interests and serves as an educational road map, leading to a credential. Utah has 35 CTE Career Pathways that align with the national Career Clusters.

How Are CTE Career Pathways Beneficial to Students?

Many CTE Career Pathways offer concurrent enrollment credit. Participation in a CTE Career Pathway will save students time and money toward training and/or a college degree.

Why Should Students Participate in CTE Career Pathways?

  1. To acquire technical skills training.
  2. To participate in hands-on learning.
  3. To jump-start their future career.
  4. To earn college credit while in high school.
  5. To save time and money!

How Do CTE Career Pathways Connect to Postsecondary Education?

CTE Career Pathways help match education and workplace needs through partnerships with postsecondary institutions, LEAs (local education agency), business, and industry.

CTE Career Pathways are the maps that can help guide students to:

  • High school courses.
  • Postsecondary options most relevant to their chosen career destination.

What Are the Opportunities for Students Who Participate in a CTE Career Pathway?

  • Maximize opportunities for students.
  • Increase student awareness of careers and education and training.
  • Strengthen the planning process by developing a Plan for College and Career Readiness.

How Do CTE Career Pathways Prepare Students for College and Career?

  • Students complete appropriate academic and skill development courses.
  • Students participate in concurrent enrollment courses that meet degree requirements.
  • Students complete related state or industry skill assessments.
  • Students earn industry-recognized credentials of value.

Are Concurrent Enrollment Classes Included in a CTE Career Pathway?

Yes! CTE Career Pathways may include concurrent enrollment courses, and credits earned can be transferred to a college or university.

In Utah, What Number of Students Are Enrolled in CTE Courses?

  • 177,959 secondary (School Year 2021-2022)
  • 78,989 postsecondary (School Year 2020-2021)

What Do CTE Career Pathways Prepare Students For?

Postsecondary education and training. High school students enrolled in CTE Career Pathways receive advanced occupational training to pursue postsecondary certificates and degrees.

What Does Postsecondary Education Mean?

Postsecondary education means a one-year certificate, a two-year associate or technical degree, or a four-year bachelor's degree.

What Does a CTE Career Pathway Look Like?

A CTE Career Pathway includes both foundation and elective courses within a student's area of interest. Students are required to earn a specific number of credits in order to be considered a CTE Career Pathway concentrator or completer.

What Is a CTE Concentrator?

A concentrator is a student who has completed specific requirements in a single CTE program of study. In 2021-2022, 47.9 percent of students concentrated in a CTE Career Pathway.

The graduation rate for students who are CTE concentrators is 96.5 percent, compared to Utah's statewide graduation rate of 88.2 percent.

How Many Credits Does a Student Need to Be a CTE Career Pathway Completer?

A student needs 3.00 graduation credits to be a CTE Career Pathway completer. In 2021-2022, 15.5 percent of students completed a CTE Career Pathway.

What Percentage of Jobs Require Additional Training Beyond High School?

According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 35 percent of the job openings will require at least a bachelor's degree, and 30 percent of the job openings will require some college or an associate degree.

How Many CTE Career Pathways Are There in Utah?

Utah recognizes 35 CTE Career Pathways, that align with the national Career Clusters.

What Subject Areas Are Covered by CTE?

From agriculture to engineering to health science to manufacturing. CTE offers 35 CTE Career Pathways within 13 CTE Career Clusters. 

What Career Pathways Are Offered through CTE?

For a complete listing of CTE Career Pathways offered, talk to your high school counselor or access UtahCTE.org.

Are Students Recognized for Completing the Secondary Portion of a CTE Career Pathway?

Yes. An award program recognizes students who successfully complete a CTE Career Pathway while in high school. This award is called the Secondary Pathway Completer Recognition Award. Students should talk to their school counselor about applying for this award.

Are Students Recognized for Completing the Secondary Portion of the CTE Pathways?

Yes. An award program recognizes students who successfully complete a CTE Pathway while in high school. This award is called the Secondary Pathway Completer Recognition Award. Students should talk to their school counselor about applying for this award.

How Can I Learn More About CTE and CTE Career Pathways?

Talk to your high school counselor or contact us for more information.

Our vision is to see that every student has the opportunity to explore a variety of career areas, throughout high school, that will equip him or her with the academic knowledge, technical and employment skills vital for entry into the evolving workforce of the 21st century.