Career and Technical Education

  • ​The mission of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to empower all students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy. CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge. Programs in Career and Technical Education are designed to contribute to the broad educational achievement of students, including basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as their ability to work independently and as part of a team, think creatively, solve problems, and utilize technology. These tools and experiences make school more relevant, and ensure students are ready for the real world. Whether students plan to further their education in community colleges, technical schools, four-year colleges and universities, receive on-the-job training, or pursue careers in the military, CTE can be the first step in a pathway toward productive employment and citizenship.

    In the state of North Carolina, we are proud to have 931,801 Career and Technical Education participants. The 2018 CTE Concentrator Graduation rate of 99.2% is evidence of how CTE is learning that works for North Carolina. 
CTE Logo Learning that Works for North Carolina

  • CTE Delivers for students:

    Real options for students for college and rewarding careers

    • CTE programs allow students to explore a range of options for their future - inside and outside of the classroom.
    • Through CTE, students can start their path toward a career that they are passionate about, while earning valuable experience, college credits and more.
    • CTE students are more likely to have a post-high school plan - including college - than other students; just 2% of CTE students say they "don't know" what they will do after high school.

    Real-world skills for students

    • CTE is a unique opportunity for hands on learning - putting students at the center of the action.
    • CTE provides the skills and confidence students need to pursue career options, discover their passions and get on a path to success.
    • Students in CTE programs and their parents are three times as likely to report they are "very satisfied" with their and their children's ability to learn real-world skills as part of their current education compared to parents and students not involved in CTE.

    Real middle and high school experience with more value for students

    • CTE programs are a part of middle and high school - students can participate in CTE and the other activities they enjoy, such as sports, the arts or whatever else their friends are doing.
    • CTE takes students even further during their high school experience - providing opportunities for specialized classes, internships, and networking with members of the community.
    • Students in CTE programs and their parents are twice as likely to report they are "very satisfied" with their high school education experience compared to prospective CTE students and their parents.