Career and Technical Education by the Numbers

As the global economy changes over time, students need an education that will prepare them for success in the workforce. Career and technical education (CTE) is a rapidly growing area of skills training for both young and adult students.

CTE prepares students for a variety of skill-based jobs, and the education curriculum focuses on the real-world experiences that students will face in a future career path. CTE career paths are more in demand than ever, and many states are focusing on providing more CTE training as a part of their ESSA plans.

To fully understand the impact of CTE, let’s break down some numbers with data according the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE):

What is CTE?

• CTE educates students for a range of career options, spanning, 16 Career Clusters® and 79+ Career Pathways®.
• CTE encompasses 94% of high school students and 4 million individuals seeking postsecondary certificates and associate degrees in CTE fields.
• During the 2016–17 school year, 98% of public school districts offered CTE programs to students at the high school level (US Department of Education).

Why is CTE important for students?

• The average high school graduation rate in 2012 for CTE concentrators was 93%, compared to the national adjusted cohort graduation rate of 80%.
• 80% of students taking a college preparatory academic curriculum with rigorous CTE met college- and career-readiness goals, compared to only 63% of students taking the same academic core who did not experience rigorous CTE.
• 43% of young workers with licenses and certificates earn more than those with an associate degree.
• 27% of young workers with licenses and certificates earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree.
• 31% of young workers with associate degrees earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Why is CTE important for businesses and the economy?

• Of the 55 million job openings created by 2020, 30% will require some college or a two-year associate degree.
• More than 80% of manufacturers report that talent shortages will impact their ability to meet customer demand. CTE plays a vital role in helping American businesses close the skills gap by building a competitive workforce for the 21st century.
• CTE benefits communities. For example, in Oklahoma the economy sees an annual benefit of $3.5 billion from its CareerTech System graduates. And, in Wisconsin, for each dollar invested in the technical college system, taxpayers receive $12.20 in benefits.

Interested in learning more about how Edmentum can partner with your school or district to implement a successful CTE program? Check out our career exploration flyer!