CTE is on the Rise. Let's shine a light on the accomplishments of the 127,000+ high school students in Ohio who chose to pursue career-technical education at one of 99 career centers. These students are the future workforce, and CTE is crucial for preparing them for a variety of paths - college, career, enlistment and entrepreneurship.
WEEK 1: CTE for ALL!
More high school students than you may think are taking advantage of career-technical education. In 2021, over 127,000 students in Ohio chose to pursue CTE at one of 99 career-technical high schools. Not only do these students explore their interests and aspirations, but they also have a high chance of continuing their education or pursuing additional certifications. CTE is for every student and offers a diverse range of career fields, academic and organizational honors, and extracurricular opportunities.
Career Tech students exemplify diversity. When you look around career centers and within their programs, you’ll see and feel the many different backgrounds and experiences that reflect our communities and at the same time strengthen the CTE student experience.
CTE students have the same opportunities to earn distinguished academic and organizational honors from their home school and/or their career center. Career-Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) allow students to earn regional, state, and national accolades. Students with high academic achievement may be eligible for groups, like the National Technical Honor Society, while remaining eligible for distinctions at their home school.
CTE students are also organizational leaders, sport stars, musicians, performers, artists, valedictorians, salutatorians, and philanthropists while they complete their career tech experience. Career centers encourage and will work with students to give them every opportunity to have the most full high school experience possible.
It's time to shatter the myths and discover the benefits of CTE for yourself.
WEEK 2: Pathways to a World of Possibilities
Career-Tech training is available in almost every industry: CTE classes can be found in Ohio for engineering, construction technology and transportation, agriculture/environmental studies, manufacturing technology, information technology, marketing, finance, hospitality/tourism, business, health science, human services, arts and communication, law, and education.
Career-Tech students are prepared: Whether it’s college, military, direct to the workforce, continued technical training, or starting their own business, CTE students spend more time focusing on the path ahead than students in traditional schools. Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment and Entrepreneurship initiatives at CTE schools help students plan for their futures.
Career-Tech students make connections: The close relationship between CTE schools and local industry provides opportunities for connections with business owners, managers, and HR professionals that students might not otherwise have. These connections can be useful as students and graduates seek career advice and jobs.
Career-Tech students have options: Some use their CTE training as a way to pay their way through college, others use it as a stepping stone to work their way up the corporate ladder, still others use their CTE training to build second jobs or save money by doing their own home/car repairs, haircuts, bookkeeping, and more! Moreover, the employability or soft skills learned in CTE schools translate to any working environment. The possibilities are endless!
WEEK 3: Work-based Learning ... Beyond the Classroom!
What is Work-Based Learning: WBL is defined in federal law as “sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that fosters in-depth, first-hand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.”
Opportunities for work-based learning may include:
- Job site placement and internship
- Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship
- Remote or virtual placement
- Entrepreneurship
- School-based enterprise
- Simulated work environment
Work-Based Learning allows students to gain essential on-the-job skills and knowledge while still in high school. This can occur within their high school or on a job site. These students are earning industry-recognized credentials while gaining work experience and earning a paycheck in many situations!
WEEK 4: Workforce Development Specialists
Career-technical centers are experts in providing hands-on, practical training in a variety of technical and vocational fields, preparing students for in-demand jobs in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction and information technology. We partner with local businesses to ensure our training is relevant and offer job placement assistance to graduates.
Vocational education grew rapidly from 1963-1983. Since then, efforts have been focused on improving and modifying programs in response to the needs of the workforce, as well as teach students attributes necessary for success. They also provide continuing education and retraining opportunities for individuals already in the workforce. This helps to meet the current and future workforce needs of the community and helps to bridge the skills gap and prepare individuals for in-demand jobs.
Throughout its history, CTE has helped build Ohio’s workforce, focusing on the skills local business needs to prosper.