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.
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.
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.
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
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.
The graduation rate for students who are CTE concentrators stands at 96.5% compared to Utah's state-wide graduation rate of 88.2%
70.7% of students who concentrated in a CTE Career Pathway placed in postsecondary education, advanced training, military service, or employment.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
From agriculture to engineering to health science to manufacturing. CTE offers 35 CTE Career Pathways within 13 CTE Career Clusters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Postsecondary education and training. High school students enrolled in CTE Career Pathways receive advanced occupational training to pursue postsecondary certificates and degrees.
Postsecondary education means a one-year certificate, a two-year associate or technical degree, or a four-year bachelor's degree.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Utah recognizes 35 CTE Career Pathways, that align with the national Career Clusters.
From agriculture to engineering to health science to manufacturing. CTE offers 35 CTE Career Pathways within 13 CTE Career Clusters.
For a complete listing of CTE Career Pathways offered, talk to your high school counselor or access UtahCTE.org.
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.
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.
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.