Helping Career and Technical Education Programs Prepare Students for In-Demand Jobs

The demand for skilled workers in industries such as manufacturing, food production, electrical services, and mechanical systems has skyrocketed. For example, employment of electricians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

However, employers are struggling to find workers to fill these in-demand roles. Employers report a shortage of workers with the technical skills needed to operate and maintain complex machinery, manage compliance, and uphold safety standards. Meanwhile, rapid changes in technology are exacerbating this skills gap by creating a need for continuous upskilling in areas such as project management, lean manufacturing, and workplace safety.

To address the demands of today’s employers and to teach students the skills needed to enter these specialized fields, the education industry is increasing its focus on Career and Technical Education (“CTE”) as a critical tool to prepare students for the needs of today’s workforce.

The Rise of CTE

Data shows that students are increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional college paths after graduating from high school. Instead of enrolling in traditional four-year colleges, high school students increasingly enter the workforce—participating in apprentice programs, taking jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, or enrolling in more specialized two-year postsecondary vocational programs. CTE has become a critical tool to prepare learners for high-demand careers without requiring a four-year degree.

CTE programs are especially helpful for a few reasons.

• In addition to the required academic courses, CTE programs provide career readiness and skills-based training in everything from electrical work to food preparation.
• CTE programs provide opportunities for students to participate in apprenticeships and earn industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), creating a path for students to go directly from the CTE program into a highly skilled job. Regulatory bodies are increasingly emphasizing IRCs as a measure of workforce readiness, and educational institutions are seeking courses that align with these credentials, ensuring graduates are certified and job-ready.
• Government support for CTE programs, like the Perkins V funding, has also heightened the focus on work-based learning and credentialing to meet industry needs. Many states provide additional funding to CTE programs based on the number of students who engage in work-based learning or receive IRCs.

During the 2020-21 school year, 8.3 million high school students and an additional 3.5 million postsecondary students participated in a CTE program. Those numbers decreased slightly in 2022-23 to 7.8 million secondary students and 3.3 million postsecondary students.

In order to maintain a high-quality CTE program that attracts students and prepares them for today’s in-demand jobs, administrators must ensure CTE programming aligns with the demands of the industry and that instructors have the necessary resources and training.

Supporting CTE Instruction

Teaching CTE can be challenging. CTE programs require specific instruction on handling potentially dangerous equipment and hazardous conditions associated with certain occupations. Instructors must understand how to train students for these fields safely. The Pennsylvania Department of Education described the challenge in a handbook it created for CTE instructors:

“CTE laboratories and classrooms are often filled with dangerous tools, equipment, processes, materials, and supplies within a wide range of environmental conditions, which can be difficult to control. Career and technical educators, unlike their academic counterparts, are expected to manage the learning environment to control for these potential hazards. This is often easier said than done, particularly for new instructors.”

Educational institutions and employees are seeking courses that align with the credentials needed in these highly specialized industries. By providing instructors with the appropriate resources and training, CTE program administrators can ensure their programs’ graduates are certified and job-ready.

How Vector Can Help

Vector Solutions is expanding its industry-leading online Career and Technical Education course library to add additional training modules that reflect current industry trends.

Designed to align with relevant career clusters and industry standards, Vector’s CTE courses cover various topics incorporating foundational knowledge, practical applications, and advanced technical skills across industries. Vector’s CTE courses provide students with essential career-relevant skills that boost employability. Current courses include:

• Workplace Safety
• Workplace Compliance & Skills
• OSHA 10-Hour (Students who complete these General Industry and Construction courses will receive an official OSHA 10-hour card).
• Career Readiness & Life Skills

New this month, Vector has added an expanded selection of industry-aligned course options. Each course is crafted to align with relevant career clusters and prepare students for highly valued certifications in the workforce. The new course bundles are:

• OSHA 30: OSHA-authorized training that equips construction professionals with essential safety skills to manage and mitigate jobsite hazards effectively. Students receive an official OSHA 30-hour card upon completion.
• Food Services & Production: Aligned with industry-recognized certifications, these courses provide comprehensive training that equips learners with essential skills applicable in settings from commercial kitchens to food processing facilities. Students will learn about preventing food contamination, hazardous waste management for food safety, and more.
• Electrical Skills: These courses provide hands-on content aligned with real-world electrical systems, helping learners gain proficiency in areas essential to modern electrical work. Areas include electrical soldering, wiring and connections, lighting basics, system grounding, and DC and electric motor basics.
• Industrial Skills: These courses prepare learners for specific industrial roles and tasks, ensuring they meet employers’ required competencies. Students will learn blueprint basics, forklift operations, how to use hand and power tools, arc welding basics, industrial math, GD&T systems, and more.
• Mechanical Skills: These courses help learners build the competencies necessary for high-demand mechanical roles, including HVACR certification preparation. Students will also learn about chemical reactions, forces and motion, heat transfer theory, refrigerant safety and handling, air systems, and more.
• Mine Safety & Health: These courses prepare learners for the unique safety needs of the mining sector, with a focus on MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) compliance and essential safety protocols.
• Project Management: These courses provide learners with foundational and advanced skills critical for managing projects across various industries.
• Lean Manufacturing: These courses introduce learners to lean manufacturing principles, equipping them with strategies to identify inefficiencies and contribute to continuous improvement in workplace settings.

All of Vector Solutions’ courses easily integrate with schools’ existing CTE curriculum to help students earn industry-recognized credentials and prepare them for success in work-based learning experiences, internships, college, and future careers.