A college education is an admirable goal, and it’s a must-have for certain careers these days. But there are plenty of terrific skilled jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, and it’s important to provide today’s students with multiple options so they can find the right fit. For many, that includes career and technical education (CTE). Here’s what that term means, and why it’s such an important option.
Simply put, career and technical education (CTE) provides students with the specific training and skills they need for a wide variety of careers that don’t require a traditional college degree. These include skilled trades jobs, health and medical technicians, service and hospitality industries, and more. CTE can begin as early as middle school and continue through high school into post-secondary education.