There was once a time when college was promoted as the goal for every student. K-12 schools were areas for learning, for preparing youth for university. These days are no longer. Going to college is still a huge accomplishment (obviously!), and it’s still what a majority of grade school students are working for, but it’s not the only respectable route for students post-graduation. As workforce demands and the world we live in rapidly shift, Career and Technical Education has quickly risen in popularity and demand as a powerful solution for preparing students for life after K-12.
School Principals 411 believes that every student should have the freedom and ability to pursue the future they want, even if it is outside of the traditional norm of college after high school. That’s why we encourage all principals to grab the reins on their leadership role and build dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready CTE programs.
The Rising Demand for CTE: Why Now?
Across the country, interest in CTE is booming, and for good reason! Students, families, and employers alike are seeking alternatives to four-year college degrees that provide tangible skills, faster employment, and greater career flexibility. From 2019 to 2024, undergraduate certificate program enrollment rose by 28.5%, highlighting the demand for more options. Dual enrollment and CTE pathways are increasingly viewed as smart, scalable strategies to combat labor shortages in industries like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and emergency management.
At the same time, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are transforming the very nature of work. Today’s auto techs need to understand software diagnostics. Tomorrow’s construction workers must know how to collaborate with robotic systems. This new reality demands that students gain real-world, tech-integrated skills fast.
Building CTE From the Ground Up
Many districts still treat CTE as a peripheral checkbox: a few electives, a dusty auto shop, or a siloed pathway for “certain students.” But when properly implemented, CTE is not a second-tier track. It is purpose-filled, hands-on learning that fosters confidence, identity, and real career readiness.
CTE programs thrive when they are:
- Integrated, not isolated
- Structured, not sporadic
- Inclusive, not tracked
As Adam Kulaas, the Director of Innovative Learning at Tacoma Public Schools, puts it, “We’re in the middle of a readiness crisis … Not a standardized test score crisis, not a graduation rate crisis.” Too many students graduate unsure of how to translate their diplomas into meaningful next steps. CTE, when redesigned and reimagined, can be the map.
Career Clusters as a Foundation
One of the most transformative tools available today is the Advance CTE Career Clusters Framework. This model organizes education around 14 high-skill, high-demand industry clusters and 79 career pathways, turning vague “career interest” conversations into structured, personalized, and measurable student journeys.
At Tacoma Public Schools, this framework is being used to: design schedules that mirror industry workflows, align programs with postsecondary and workforce needs, foster coherence across departments and partners, and more. Career Clusters work for any school, providing the common language and strategic vision to make readiness real.
Key Strategies for Successful CTE Implementation
As a principal, you are in the position to activate and expand meaningful CTE pathways. Here’s how:
1. Partner with Industry and Higher Ed
Build advisory boards with local employers, colleges, and credentialing bodies. These partners offer critical insight into current trends, help recruit skilled instructors, and expand work-based learning (WBL) opportunities.
2. Support Your Educators
CTE instructors often juggle complex, cross-disciplinary workloads. Prevent burnout with:
- Professional development
- Mentorship from industry professionals
- Clear alignment between teaching goals and program outcomes
Encourage teachers to join ACTE or other professional organizations to build a strong support network.
3. Prioritize Equity and Access
Adopt open enrollment policies. Normalize participation across gender, race, and learning styles. Track and close participation gaps, especially in nontraditional programs. A strong CTE program should reflect the diversity of your student body and provide universal access to high-value opportunities.
4. Modernize Curriculum and Facilities
Update outdated courses and facilities to match current tech and industry standards. Include AI, robotics, and sustainability topics across programs like automotive, culinary arts, and healthcare.
5. Celebrate Student Success
Recognize and showcase CTE achievements at school board meetings, on social media, and in parent communications. Highlight credentials, internships, and competitions just as enthusiastically as athletic or academic accomplishments.
Sustainability Matters: Think Long-Term
Creating a sustainable CTE program means embedding it into your school culture, funding priorities, and strategic goals. Work collaboratively with district leadership to ensure ongoing resource allocation and think beyond traditional internships — develop your own district-based WBL models or explore virtual learning options to expand capacity.
