About Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Why CTE? Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a necessary part of a comprehensive education that will prepare our students to enter a workplace where only 20% of the jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher education. With that, 80% require CTE and training provided through a high school and/or some post-secondary training*.

It is the critical education component of the workforce development system that provides planned sequences for career awareness, exploration and planning, relevant workplace skills, and career-specific preparation for all learners in the K-16 educational system. It is charged with developing the rigorous academic and occupational programs that prepare future workers. Career and technical education program providers work to meet the requirements of the Illinois Learning Standards and No Child Left Behind.

Business leaders can be assured that students who receive career and technical education are prepared to enter the workforce because it draws its curricula, standards, and organizing principles from the workplace. The workplace provides the context, objectives and organizing constructs for instruction and assessment. The workplace also defines standards of performance including those required for academic, technical and employability skills.

In Illinois, labor projections indicate a significant increase in jobs for which CTE could provide the foundation. There is a need to increase CTE offerings statewide to provide workers for Illinois employers.

What is the vision for career and technical education? In Illinois it is that all learners should achieve high standards of academic, analytical thinking, technical-professional, and employability skills so they are well prepared for employment and further education and training.

What is CTE?

• CTE is a bridge to employment and advanced training.
• CTE is a pipeline for postsecondary education.
• CTE provides students with skills needed by employers for entry-level jobs and beyond.
• CTE students are better prepared to go to work with technologic knowledge, academic competence, and positive work ethics.
• 95% of CTE program concentrators graduate from high school.

CTE Facts

• View the CTE Fact Sheet


For what occupations does CTE provide training ?


• Business, marketing, and management occupations
• Health-related occupations
• Agriculture occupations and agribusiness
• Family and consumer science-related occupations
• Industrial technology occupations
• Information technology occupations

  How do employers participate in CTE programs? Employers participate through programs that include:

• Cooperative Education
• Tech Prep
• School-based Enterprise
• Community-based Learning
• Internship
• Youth Apprenticeship.

What are typical CTE student characteristics? Career and technical education student characteristics for program concentrators, those who have completed two or more courses in the same program over a two year period, are that they are focused, motivated and more likely than a general education student to finish high school, become employed and/or go on to further education.

95% of CTE program concentrators graduate from high school.

* In 2000, 20.7% of jobs required a baccalaureate degree or higher; by 2010 only 21.8% of jobs will require a full degree according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Illinois is at a cross roads. It can succumb to the current pressures to downsize or it can actively mobilize the support of Illinois employers who are strong advocates and true friends of CTE.

Source: Illinois State Board of Education CTE School Data 2001, 2002, and 2003 (Illinois Student Information System)

View the CTE Fact Sheet

 Workforce Education
 Resource Center
 2450 Foundation Drive
 Springfield, IL 62703-5464

Site Updated 11/10/2004