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
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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about Career and Technical Education at https://www.acteonline.org/about-cte/.