The Rise of Career and Technical Education in the US

Career and technical education (CTE) programs have emerged as a key strategy to bridge the gap between traditional education and workforce readiness. As industries face labor shortages and the skills gap widens, CTE programs are equipping students with the tools needed to succeed in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.

According to Simba Information’s Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2024-2025 report, states have made significant efforts to expand CTE opportunities to meet growing workforce needs. For example, Arizona’s Future48 initiative is poised to produce over 2,500 healthcare professionals annually, addressing critical shortages in the healthcare sector. Florida, in 2023, saw more than 235,000 students earn an industry certificate before high school graduation, which reflects a growing emphasis on career-readiness skills and industry certification in the state.

Why CTE Programs Are Growing

Career and technical education programs are experiencing significant growth across the nation. According to Advance CTE and the Association for Career & Technical Education, State Policies Impacting CTE 2023 Year in Review report, 47 states enacted policies to support and expand CTE programs and prepare students for careers that meet local and national workforce demands.

This expansion is not limited to just one sector. Many states are integrating CTE into their broader education systems by offering dual enrollment opportunities, where students can earn both high school and postsecondary credits, and by incorporating work-based learning models. These programs allow students to gain hands-on experience in real-world environments, making them better prepared for immediate employment after graduation.

Governors and legislators have recognized that CTE is essential to addressing labor shortages and ensuring economic growth. For example, states like Colorado and Washington have implemented comprehensive workforce development initiatives that pair CTE education with in-demand industries such as clean energy and technology.

As more states prioritize CTE, we see an increase in industry partnerships and funding aimed at creating equitable access to these programs. States are ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can benefit from CTE, helping to close opportunity gaps and fostering a more inclusive workforce. This nationwide focus on CTE not only prepares students for future careers but also strengthens the economic health of communities across the country.

Timeliness of CTE Expansion

The growth of CTE comes at a pivotal time. The U.S. is facing a significant shortage of skilled workers across multiple sectors. The State Policies Impacting CTE 2023 Year in Review, found that industries like hospitality and manufacturing are experiencing widespread retention challenges. In response to those challenges, federal initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are investing in infrastructure and technology to create new opportunities for CTE students to enter emerging fields like clean energy.

Amid these shifts, enrollment in CTE programs is increasing. Postsecondary CTE participation has grown in technical and community colleges, even as general undergraduate enrollment has declined. This trend highlights the timeliness of CTE as students seek alternatives to traditional education pathways.

Addressing Teacher Shortages in CTE

Despite the growing interest in CTE, there are significant challenges in staffing these programs. The NCES reports that 31% of public schools had difficulty filling CTE teaching positions in 2020-21. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where schools struggle to find instructors with the industry expertise necessary to lead these programs.

According to the Association for Career and Technical Education’s report Staffing Outside the Box: Strategies for Addressing CTE Teacher Shortages, states could address the growing CTE teacher shortages by implementing innovative staffing strategies to bring industry professionals into the classroom. One popular approach is adjunct or part-time certification, which allows professionals with relevant occupational experience to teach without the full credentials typically required for a teaching license. For instance, Kentucky has utilized this method successfully by hiring part-time CTE teachers under adjunct certification on a year-to-year contract, allowing industry experts to instruct students without the need for full-time teaching commitments. This model has been used at the Jessamine Career and Technology Center, where industry professionals teach programs such as EMT, advanced manufacturing, and veterinary technology. According to Christi Hack, the center’s director, "these instructors are often the teacher of record for the program but may sometimes co-teach."

Co-teaching arrangements pair licensed teachers with industry professionals to share instructional duties. For example, the Area 31 Career Center in Indianapolis utilized industry experts from multiple companies to rotate through the school year and teach a precision machining course when a teacher left mid-year. This allowed students to continue learning despite the shortage, and one of the participating industry experts eventually became a full-time teacher, which demonstrates the potential for long-term recruitment through co-teaching programs.

The Larger Social Impact of CTE

The impact of CTE goes beyond immediate workforce needs. It plays a crucial role in creating more equitable educational opportunities, particularly for underserved populations. According to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act data, 51% of secondary CTE concentrators in 2021-22 were students of color. However, there’s still work to be done in diversifying the educator workforce, as only 13% of CTE teachers in public schools were people of color in the same period.

CTE programs have several broader social impacts that extend beyond the classroom and directly affect communities, economies, and society at large. Here are some of the key social impacts:

• Bridging the Skills Gap: CTE addresses the growing skills gap by equipping students with industry-relevant skills that meet the demands of the modern workforce. This is especially important as industries like healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing experience shortages in skilled labor. By aligning education with workforce needs, CTE helps reduce unemployment and ensures a steady flow of qualified workers.

• Promoting Economic Mobility and Reducing Inequality: CTE offers students—especially those from low-income backgrounds—an alternative pathway to success that doesn’t require the high costs and time commitments of a traditional four-year college degree. With certifications, apprenticeships, and two-year degrees, students can enter high-demand, well-paying fields like IT, healthcare, and skilled trades without accruing significant debt.

• Strengthening Communities: Many CTE programs focus on preparing students for careers within their local communities. By partnering with local businesses and industries, CTE strengthens community ties and helps keep talent within local regions, fostering community growth and development.

• Reducing Dropout Rates: CTE programs can reduce high school dropout rates by providing an alternative for students who may not excel in traditional academic settings. By offering hands-on learning and relevant, career-focused education, CTE engages students who might otherwise struggle to see the value in their education.

• Fostering Lifelong Learning: CTE not only prepares students for immediate careers but also fosters a mindset of lifelong learning. Many CTE pathways lead to certifications or associate degrees that can later be expanded into higher education pursuits, such as bachelor’s degrees, if students choose to continue their studies.

• Contributing to National Competitiveness: By preparing students for high-demand industries like cybersecurity, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, CTE helps the U.S. remain competitive in the global market. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, countries that invest in developing a skilled workforce will be better positioned to lead in innovation and economic growth.

Future of CTE

Career and technical education is more than a trend; it’s a movement that is shaping the future of education and workforce development. Looking ahead, CTE’s role in education is poised to expand even further. With 47 states enacting policies related to industry partnerships, funding, and work-based learning in 2023, it’s clear that state governments are committed to supporting and growing these programs. As new technologies emerge and industries evolve, CTE programs will need to continue adapting to ensure students are prepared for the future workforce.

Where to Learn More

For more information on CTE and other key education trends, read Simba Information’s bi-monthly newsletter Education Market Advisor. Subscribe to our blog using the blue button on the bottom right to easily access more articles like this in the future.

About the blogger: Martha Scharping is the Education Analyst and Writer for Simba Information, the leading authority of strategic intelligence for EdTech companies and other producers of instructional materials for K-12 and higher education.