Career and Technical Education
Today’s cutting-edge, rigorous and relevant career and technical education (CTE) prepares youth and adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers.
Add SkillsUSA to career and technology education, and individuals gain further advantages. SkillsUSA works hand-in-hand with business and industry, students get the skills employers want.
About Career and Technical Education
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CTE Works for High School Students
High school students involved in CTE are more engaged, perform better and graduate at higher rates.
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Taking one CTE class for every two academic classes minimizes the risk of students dropping out of high school.
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The average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 percent, compared to an average national freshman graduation rate of 80 percent.
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91 percent of high school graduates who earned 2-3 CTE credits enrolled in college.
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CTE Works for College Students and Adults
Postsecondary CTE fosters postsecondary completion and prepares students and adults for in-demand careers.
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Students can attend public community and technical colleges for a fraction of the cost of tuition at other institutions: $3,520, on average, in 2016-2017.
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According to research in Texas, Colorado and Virginia, graduates with technical or applied science associate degrees out-earn bachelor’s degree holders by $2,000 to $11,000.
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27 percent of people with less than an associate degree, including licenses and certificates, earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient.
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More Information
Learn more about Career and Technical Education at https://www.acteonline.org/about-cte/.