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Aptitude-enabled learning: Unlocking potential for career and life success | 2024 Fall Meeting Diamond Sponsor: YouScience

October 17th, 2024

Learners today face immense pressure to find the right path for success after high school. In fact, 75% feel unprepared for life beyond graduation. Traditionally, learners relied on advice from parents and friends to shape their future plans. Aptitude-enabled learning offers a better solution, providing data-driven insights that help learners make more informed career decisions.

What is aptitude-enabled learning?

Aptitudes are inherent abilities that show how someone processes information and solves problems. Unlike interests, which change over time, aptitudes are stable and reveal long-term strengths. Aptitude-enabled learning uses assessments to measure cognitive skills such as numerical reasoning, spatial visualization, and problem-solving. These insights help learners discover career paths that align with their strengths.

Why aptitudes matter more than interests alone

Interests can change with experience, but aptitudes provide a constant guide. For example, a learner interested in art may have a natural aptitude for spatial reasoning, which could also lead to success in architecture or engineering. By combining aptitudes with interests, learners get a complete picture, ensuring they pursue careers that fit both their passions and skills.

The danger of fake aptitude tests

Many tests only identify interests, offering shallow results that don’t guide learners toward careers suited to their abilities. Real aptitude tests are backed by science, measuring cognitive skills through validated exercises. Look for tests that use performance-based measures, are scientifically validated, and are unbiased, ensuring fair treatment for all learners.

Benefits of aptitude-enabled learning in K-12 education

Aptitude-enabled learning offers significant benefits for students:

  1. Personalized learning paths: Assessments guide students toward careers that match their strengths.
  2. Increased engagement: Knowing how abilities connect to careers motivates students to invest in their education.
  3. Informed decision-making: Students make better choices about courses, extracurriculars, and post-graduation plans.
  4. Bridging the skills gap: Match learners with careers in high-demand fields, addressing industry talent shortages.

How CTE leaders can use YouScience® on a state level

Career Technical Education (CTE) leaders can implement YouScience at the state level to enhance career readiness. By leveraging YouScience’s aptitude assessment, states can provide students with personalized insights that align their education with future workforce needs. CTE leaders can use statewide programs to bridge the gap between education and industry, helping students discover careers they might not have considered and providing employers with skilled, aptitude-aligned talent. This approach supports long-term workforce development by connecting students’ strengths with in-demand careers in key industries.

The future of career readiness with aptitude-enabled learning

Aptitude-enabled learning helps learners make informed decisions about their futures, improving both engagement and readiness for careers. Tools like YouScience Aptitude & Career Discovery offer research-backed assessments that guide learners toward careers where they will excel. As more schools adopt aptitude-based approaches, learners are better equipped to navigate the future and achieve long-term success.

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Three Top Reasons to Consider a CTE-Specific Data Management Solution | 2024 Fall Meeting Diamond Sponsor: iCEV

October 17th, 2024

Tracking and analyzing data are key to any successful Career Technical Education (CTE) program. CTE leaders use everything from pen and paper to full-scale data management systems to record this essential information. 

Yet even if you already have a system in place to track program performance, you should consider a solution designed specifically for CTE programs. 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at three types of data tracked by a CTE-specific data management solution.

1) Industry Certifications 

Industry certifications help prove the success of a CTE program. Certification earners prove they have industry-specific knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the workforce.  

CTE programs look to demonstrate success through certifications and align courses to a specific credential to certify as many learners as possible.  

It can be difficult to keep track of pass rates, demographics, and other crucial certification metrics. A CTE-specific solution tracks all this information so programs can make informed decisions about future certification goals. 

2) Career and Technical Student Organizations 

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) offer learners opportunities to showcase skills, connect with peers, and pursue professional opportunities. Being part of a local chapter often leads to future success, but most data solutions don’t easily track these valuable experiences.  

With a CTE-specific solution, you can track CTSO involvement and see how it correlates with higher completer rates and enhanced student engagement. 

3) Work-Based Learning 

Traditional data management solutions rarely account for work-based learning (WBL) opportunities such as internships and field experiences. Because these opportunities are numerous and varied, it’s often difficult for programs to track WBL experiences.  

However, a comprehensive data management system will track each student’s WBL hours, skills, and experiences. Collecting this information shows the value of industry partnerships and can lead to increased funding. 

Discover CTE-Specific Data Management and Reporting  

Tracking and reporting essential data helps CTE leaders follow regulations, access valuable funding, and prove the success of their programs.  

Without a CTE-specific data management system, it can be difficult to demonstrate the full picture of what your program accomplishes. But with Eduthings, you get a custom solution to accurately track all your data, making reporting and analysis simple. 

Visit the iCEV booth during the Advance CTE Fall Conference to learn how Eduthings can be your CTE command center to shape tomorrow’s CTE. 

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Driving Change to Build a Better Workforce | 2024 Fall Meeting Diamond Sponsor: SkillsUSA

October 16th, 2024

As the leading workforce development organization for learners, SkillsUSA is proud to be leading the way to help America’s future workforce. Approaching our 65th anniversary in 2030, we continue to focus on preparing learners for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. With the support of over 850 national partners, SkillsUSA is committed to addressing our nation’s workforce challenges with bold solutions and steadfast dedication. 

Five Tenets to Drive Access to CTE

The SkillsUSA Drive to 65 Campaign reflects our commitment to expanding programs that empower CTE learners and connect them to career paths, employers, and jobs. The five tenets of our new strategic plan are to:

  • Build an integrated digital ecosystem where learners control their career journey as they connect with chapters and partners.
  • Serve one million learners and teachers across all CTE levels, focusing on underrepresented communities.
  • Reimagine programming to engage more middle school, high school, and postsecondary learners in work-based learning.
  • Transform our national conference into a CTE hotspot where learners, teachers, and instructors connect with workforce development opportunities and training.
  • Increase fundraising to $25 million annually through partnerships and grants to support more programming and more learner success.

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry

Bridging the gap between education and industry is crucial as SkillsUSA is committed to aligning learners’ careers with their skills and job opportunities. We provide essential support for teachers and instructors, connecting them with industry for program support, employability training, and mentorship.

Workplace Learning for More Learners

Creating workplace learning experiences (WPLE) that encompass work-based learning (WBL) equips learners with essential skills. These experiences grow in complexity as learners advance, incorporating quality non-degree credentials aligned with the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards and our Championships competition program.

This year, SkillsUSA has launched new workplace learning experiences for middle school, high school, and postsecondary learners. Our resources are designed for easy classroom implementation, serving as gateways to industry experiences. Participation in WBL significantly increases personal income and career satisfaction, especially for disadvantaged youth. SkillsUSA is committed to advancing the needs of marginalized learners, providing positive relationships with adults, exposure to new environments, and opportunities to develop social capital.

Realizing Our Incredible Potential

Building a talent pipeline for America has always been our focus — and this focus has never been more vital. SkillsUSA aligns with Advance CTE’s vision where each learner engages in a cohesive, flexible, and responsive career preparation ecosystem. 

Join us in our national movement to boost learner outcomes. Together, we can lift up learners and build thriving communities. Align with us, get involved in our work-based learning initiatives, and join us at the local, state, or national levels to grow the talent pipeline. Connect with our team to receive updates on our progress on the SkillsUSA Drive to 65.

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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ED Extends Comment Period for Perkins ICR | Legislative Update

October 11th, 2024

This week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it would extend the deadline for one of the components of a recent regulatory proposal impacting the implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) in response to a formal request made by Advance CTE and partners. Elsewhere, Congress has remained on recess ahead of the upcoming November elections while the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) makes preparations for National Apprenticeship Week and announces new grant opportunities.

ED Modifies Comment Deadline for Perkins V ICR

This morning, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it would extend the public comment period for a recently proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) with significant implications for the implementation of Perkins V. The two-week comment period extension will apply to feedback responses to proposed changes to Perkins V’s Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) while the existing deadline for comments related to the State Plan Guide component of this ICR remain unchanged and are still due November 12, 2024. This announcement comes in response to Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) formal request for an extension made in recent weeks. In addition, ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) hosted two town halls last week, providing further details regarding these proposed ICRs. Notably, ED confirmed during these events that every state and territory would be required to undergo a new comprehensive planning process required by Perkins V regardless of whether a state submits a new or amended state plan by program year 2026.

Congress Remains on Recess Amid Storm Damage

Capitol Hill remains in recess this week as the November elections draw closer. Over the last few weeks, severe storms have significantly impacted several states. Due to these circumstances, there has been increasing pressure for Congress to potentially reconvene, prior to the upcoming elections, to provide supplemental emergency funding for states impacted by these weather events. A bipartisan group of Senators recently sent a letter highlighting this need, and similar efforts are underway in the House. 

Despite this mounting pressure, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has thus far resisted calls to reconvene. The need to provide funding in response to these latest hurricanes is widely expected to impact future negotiations for long-term funding for federal programs, like Perkins V’s state grant program, for the current 2025 federal fiscal year (FY25). As a reminder, current funding—recently extended by a continuing resolution (CR) passed by Congress late last month—is set to expire on December 20, 2024. Advance CTE will continue to advocate for a robust investment in CTE via Perkins V as the FY25 process progresses.

Department of Labor Continued Federal Support for Apprenticeship Programs

This week, the Department of Labor shared details for the 10th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), a week dedicated to celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation of impacting lives through apprenticeship programs. Spanning the week of November 17th through 23rd, the 2024 celebration features daily themes with ways to get involved listed on Labor’s NAW Fact Sheet. Advance CTE looks forward to celebrating Career Technical Education’s critical role and connection to apprenticeships later this fall.

DOL also shared a list of resources for outreach to businesses to support apprenticeship investment and implementation. A related list has links to federal, state, and industry-specific resources for outreach anywhere on the continuum of strategic partnership. The Department also conducted a series of Industry Focus Calls throughout the summer to support state grantees in expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to meet employers’ needs. The 2024 calls shared best practices and successes for launching RAPs in education, the public sector, green energy, and mental and behavioral healthcare. The calls and resources dating back to 2019 can be accessed here.

Earlier this fall, the Biden-Harris administration issued an executive order related to Investing in America and Investing in American Workers that highlights the importance of prioritizing federally funded projects that prioritize workforce development efforts, including the availability of career pathways and RAPs.

Department of Labor Grants Available for Work-Based Learning for Underserved Youth

The Department of Labor announced a fifth round of Workforce Pathways for Youth grants, authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), available for out-of-school organizations that engage underserved youth ages 14 to 21. The grants are intended to help organizations introduce career-related services, work-based learning opportunities, and occupational skills training. Applications are open until December 3rd, 2024, and eligibility requirements are listed on the application page. Read more about Workforce Pathways for Youth, previous program recipients, and other resources here.

Rob Young, Communications & Advocacy Associate

Steve Voytek, Policy Advisor 

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AGC Maine’s Pre-Apprenticeship: A Program of Success | 2024 Fall Meeting Platinum Sponsor: NCCER

October 11th, 2024

A New Beginning

In 2023, the Maine Construction Academy kicked off its Construction Immersion Program, a registered pre-apprenticeship program overseen and managed by the Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine). In two years, participation in the program has grown from 50 learners and young adults to more than 200 statewide. This includes 11 new locations and industry partners, expanding the program to support 15 cohorts. Its retention rate of 98%, with only one student of the first 50 left the program, reflects the values and commitment of the participants.

Program in the Making

AGC Maine focused on several key areas in developing its Construction Immersion Program — funding, program structure, and employer involvement. Kelly Flagg is the executive director of AGC Maine. As the new director in 2022, she discovered that the chapter had been awarded a $1.5 million state grant applied for by its previous executive director.

Kelly said, “It fell on my desk. You don’t always get to walk into that kind of money for a project.” The grant swiftly addressed funding issues, allowing the association to focus on program design and implementation to get the program off the ground.

As a pre-apprenticeship, the Construction Immersion Program was designed specifically to help participants, 16- to 20-year-olds, enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship. The program consists of classroom instruction, ten days of hands-on experience with local companies, and other benefits, including a weekly stipend, tools, and outerwear for its participants.

Classroom Curriculum

Referencing the program’s classroom instruction components, Kelly speaks highly of AGC Maine’s partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Local high schools shared their instructors, who received NCCER’s instructor training through AGC Maine. This collaboration ensured all instructors used the same materials — curriculum, presentations, and tests — in a standardized format.

NCCER’s curriculum meets the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship requirements for time-based training. Therefore, if the same curriculum is used by Registered Apprenticeship Programs that partner with the Construction Immersion Program, participants can continue with their apprenticeship after the program. This approach reflects Principle 4 of Advance CTE’s CTE Without Limits vision by incorporating industry-recognized credentials like the NCCER Core, which help ensure learners’ skills are portable and valued across various programs and states.

Standardized Construction Training and Certification Model

The benefits of NCCER accreditation provide organizations a full workforce development solution – to deliver standardized training and assessment programs for industry-recognized, portable credentials. Accredited organizations must meet and maintain established standards and criteria to ensure integrity in program administration.

Flexible, Digital Instruction

Online training materials help provide learners with the flexibility needed to accommodate their busy schedules, whether they’re interested in exploring a new skill or pursuing full journey-level certification. Online materials also help instructors devote classroom time to hands-on instruction. NCCERconnect offers interactive, online training for many of the most popular curricula and learning materials for additional crafts are available digitally as eText.

Hands-On Learning

To be successful in the field, performance training and evaluation enables learners to master hands-on construction skills in real-world environments. NCCER’s performance testing helps ensure learners are productive, safe, and confident in using their skills after earning NCCER credentials.

Local Employers Connect

To ensure their efforts would develop a solid talent pipeline for local companies, AGC Maine designed the Construction Immersion Program with two important requirements for employers.    

The first requirement: employers must actively participate to have access to hiring the program’s graduates. “Each contractor has one day with the participants.” Kelly explained, “That’s six hours to present their craft, their company, and what the opportunity looks like. They either go to an active construction site for a meaningful hands-on experience, or the contractor comes to the school to provide one on-site.”

The second requirement: participating companies must have a Registered Apprenticeship Program. This ensures participants who sign on with a participating company may continue their education after program completion – it’s a win-win. Kelly added, “AGC can support those companies in becoming a Registered Apprenticeship Program if the concept is new to them.” Upon completion, the program guarantees participants at least three interviews with employers.

Providing Career Paths for Maine’s Youth

At the heart of the Construction Immersion Program is its impact on learners and young adults seeking hands-on career guidance. Throughout the four weeks, participants learn about a variety of crafts and disciplines including carpentry, electrical, welding, crane operation, highway construction, and heavy equipment mechanics. They also receive financial literacy training, resumé preparation, and guidance in developing interviewing skills.

By completing the program and earning an NCCER Core credential, graduates have the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in construction. “We knew that we wanted to use a curriculum that would have a portable credential.” Kelly said, “Our goal is to start someone on a career path.” Additionally, participants earn their OSHA 10 certification and first aid CPR certification.

Lifelong Success

Pre-apprenticeship programs like the Construction Immersion Program are a tangible way that high schools, local employers, and organizations like AGC can partner in transforming learners’ interests into opportunities for lifelong careers.

Enhanced Construction Training

Take your team to the next level using NCCER’s programs to prioritize training, improve safety, and develop future leaders.

Reach out to the NCCER Workforce Development Solutions team to discuss a tailored program that meets the state requirements, needs and goals.

William Bales, NCCER

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Exploring Career Paths with zSpace: AR/VR in CTE | 2024 Fall Meeting Platinum Sponsor: zSpace

October 11th, 2024

In today’s evolving educational landscape, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) are transforming traditional learning. Leading this change is zSpace, a company that uses immersive AR/VR technology to help learners in Career Technical Education (CTE) explore careers and build skills. This post highlights how zSpace supports career readiness through career awareness, exploration, and preparedness.

Career Awareness: Introducing Possibilities

A challenge in education is helping learners grasp the variety of careers available to them. Traditional methods often struggle to engage learners with real-world experiences. zSpace changes this by allowing learners to virtually explore careers—from marine biology to architecture—giving them hands-on insight into day-to-day job responsibilities.

zSpace’s interactive simulations let learners visualize themselves in various roles, sparking curiosity and helping them make informed career choices.

Career Exploration: Engaging in Real-World Simulations

After sparking interest, zSpace enables deeper exploration of specific fields. Learners interested in healthcare, for example, can use virtual anatomy applications to diagnose ailments or explore muscle movements. Those leaning toward engineering can design and test prototypes in a virtual environment, gaining practical knowledge of product development.

This active learning helps students build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, boosting their confidence and readiness for the next step.

Career Preparedness: Building Skills for the Future

As learners focus on their chosen fields, developing the right skills becomes crucial. zSpace offers virtual training modules that help learners practice industry-relevant techniques, such as virtual welding or automotive troubleshooting. These simulations provide instant feedback, allowing learners to master competencies at their own pace.

zSpace’s content is aligned with current industry standards, ensuring learners gain up-to-date skills valued in the job market. This prepares them for certification exams and career success.

Preparing the Next Generation

By combining career awareness, exploration, and preparedness, zSpace equips learners with the tools needed for future careers. With AR/VR shaping the future of workforce development, learners using zSpace are better prepared to pursue careers that drive innovation.

The journey from classroom to career has never been more exciting, and with zSpace leading the way, students have the opportunity to explore, learn, and succeed in a fast-changing world.

Unlock your learners’ potential in your state with zSpace’s immersive AR/VR career exploration before opportunities pass them by. Contact zSpace today for a personal demonstration: https://info.zspace.com/what-is-zspace-cte

Michael Carbenia, Senior Executive Director of Workforce, zSpace [email protected]

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Navigating Success: The Importance of Recognizing CTE Talent | 2024 Fall Meeting Gold Sponsor: NOCTI

October 10th, 2024

Career Technical Education (CTE) systems are filled with proud moments of learner achievement, from graduation ceremonies to competitions and certifications. Research consistently shows that these recognition opportunities have positive impacts, increasing knowledge and engagement in learning. At NOCTI/Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), we believe in recognizing talent across all CTE stakeholder groups, including education professionals. These professionals include teachers, administrators, work-based learning coordinators, and data professionals—roles that are important to the success of CTE systems. Let’s explore the unique certification opportunities designed specifically for CTE professionals and why they are essential for navigating the seas of career success 

Charting a Course for CTE Excellence 

For over 56 years, NOCTI has been the trusted compass for measuring what matters in CTE. We are excited to offer a suite of national certifications developed in partnership with subject matter experts: 

  • Principles of CTE Teaching 
  • Principles of CTE Administration 
  • Principles of Work-Based Learning 
  • Principles of Working with CTE Data 

Each certification is available at two levels, reflecting the pivotal roles these professionals play in a thriving CTE system. 

Pedagogy and Polish. The Principles of CTE Teaching certification provides a roadmap of fundamental knowledge and skills needed to facilitate technical learning. It covers classic teaching pedagogy and addresses unique aspects of CTE environments, such as safety protocols and integrating Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and is designed for those interested in teaching in career and technical education fields as a profession.  

Leading with Perspective. School administrators play multifaceted roles in shaping the culture and identity of CTE programs. The Principles of CTE Administration certification is designed with an understanding of leading career technical teaching and learning while promoting CTE in the broader workforce development community. 

Planning, Designing, Coordinating. The Principles of Work-Based Learning certification offers educators an opportunity to highlight their knowledge of coordinating school, program, and community systems. This certification, aimed to support educators interested in a work-based learning coordinator role, can support career advancement and introduce educators to various stakeholders.  

Noticing the Numbers. NOCTI’s Principles of Working with CTE Data certification recognizes the unique role of data professionals in schools, districts, and state systems. It highlights the depth of knowledge required in data utilization, protection protocols, governance, and management frameworks and can provide these professionals with an opportunity to showcase their unique data-related expertise.  

Benefits of Professional Certifications 

Pursuing professional certifications offers numerous advantages: 

  • Career advancement 
  • Competitive edge 
  • Potential for enhanced compensation 
  • Deeper engagement with specialized knowledge 
  • Connection with professional communities 
  • Intrapersonal growth 
  • Increased credibility 
  • Boosted professional confidence 
  • Demonstration of commitment to the profession 

Last spring, I had an opportunity to witness a group of data professionals preparing for Principles of Working with CTE Data credential. There was an air of nervousness and pride as they readied themselves for the process. Once finished, the buzz in the air was palpable. The typical talk among data talents about tools, the latest security issues, and systems challenges, was overrun with chatter about how much they learned from their testing experience, how good it felt to strive for the credential, and how excited they were to receive their results.   

Navigating “C-worthy” Opportunities 

Just as skilled navigators chart courses through vast oceans, CTE professionals can use certifications to plot their career trajectories. NOCTI’s Education Professional certifications provide an opportunity for CTE educators to demonstrate expertise and build credibility. These certifications support learners in moving into new areas of work or acquiring new skills. By validating their abilities against industry-based standards, these certifications boost professional confidence. Moreover, pursuing certifications demonstrates a commitment to self-improvement and industry standards. 

In addition to individual benefits, NOCTI’s Education Professional certifications can support state-level professional preparation systems. As a national benchmark tool, the certifications can support accreditation programs, provide direction for mentoring programs via a pre- and post-test approach, and be a source of data to inform professional development efforts, both at the institutional and state levels.  Data from implementation over multiple cohorts can also inform professional program effectiveness and improvements.  

Sailing Towards Excellence 

For the NOCTI/NBS team, developing and offering Education Professional certifications is a mission-driven effort. We recognize the uniqueness of CTE and the dedicated professionals who serve in these systems. By creating avenues to support the growth, advancement, and recognition of CTE professionals, we help elevate the quality of CTE for more learners. Each of our four certifications is designed to reflect professional knowledge through a CTE lens. The benefits and positive opportunities that come from pursuing these professional certifications are grounded in the experiences of the outstanding educators we have had the privilege to support on their “C-worthy” journeys. Embark on your certification journey today and set sail toward new horizons of professional excellence in CTE! 

We are proud to be a long-standing sponsor of Advance CTE. Be sure to visit our table at ​2024 Fall Meeting​–we would love to connect with you and explore the certification opportunities NOCTI/NBS has to offer!  

Kathleen McNally, CEO, NOCTI/NBS  

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Three Steps that Inspire Learners to Build Their Future Careers | 2024 Fall Meeting Gold Sponsor: G-W Publisher

October 8th, 2024

From the first Career Technical Education (CTE) course in middle or high school to the final class in a pathway, course content should encourage learners to envision a future in high-pay, high-growth careers. As a State CTE Director, you may be leading your state CTE adoption, interested in increasing the number of learners in your state who take CTE courses, or working in a state that needs to boost its economic development through CTE. Whatever your initiative is, build CTE momentum in your state by encouraging your state’s CTE department leads, administrators, and teachers to try these three ways to encourage career exploration, provide up-to-date career information, and help learners prepare for a job search.

1: Have Learners Self-Reflect  

Introduce learners to the world of work, but also encourage them to learn more about themselves, by evaluating their own personality, interests, and learning style. 

CTE courses should allow time for learners to step back and reflect on their personal values and life goals to find connections between that vision and the skills they are learning in CTE. 

Self-reflection activities could include: 

  • Creating a list of 10 things they like to do and see how their interests align with potential careers 
  • Interviewing people who know them well to help them recall activities they’ve enjoyed or projects they’ve done well. 

G-W resources like Discovering Careers and School to Career help learners connect those traits and values to potential careers.

2: Explore Career Opportunities

After understanding more about themselves, learners are ready to learn more about career opportunities. In G-W titles, you’ll find career features that help learners explore the full picture of employment—job responsibilities, work environment, required education and skills, certifications, and salary information.     

Offering time for career exploration in CTE courses can also help teachers introduce practice of cross-curricular skills, weaved seamlessly into G-W resources. Learners can write a journal entry about their dream job and imagine what a day at work is like, practice speaking as they interview other learners who are in work-based learning programs, or practice math skills as they role-play as a financial planner advising a family about affording college.

3: Practice Career Skills

The key to CTE is practicing and building industry-specific skills.  

  • Use Case Studies, like those in G-W resources, to offer real-world scenarios of young people working in a particular career. Learners can put themselves in the characters’ shoes as they choose a career or as they imagine themselves on the job interacting with others.
  • Build a Portfolio: Guide learners in creating career portfolios of the work they complete throughout the course. Share the portfolio with guidance counselors, future colleges, or employers.

At G-W, career exploration is integrated into the content and activities for every title, across the original National Career Clusters® Framework. We will be reviewing the new modernized Framework for future alignment opportunities. In the meantime, use our current Career Navigator to find relevant, up-to-date resources for your state. Together, we can Shape Tomorrow’s CTE by preparing a workforce that is informed, eager, and ready! 

Maureen Brennan | Senior Director of Marketing, G-W Publisher | [email protected]

Together, We Build Careers®

www.g-w.com

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Revolutionizing Culinary Education with Rouxbe Online Culinary Training | 2024 Fall Meeting Gold Sponsor: Rouxbe

October 8th, 2024

The culinary world is ever-evolving, with trends, techniques, and dietary needs constantly changing. In such a dynamic landscape, the demand for culinary professionals is on the rise in industries from hospitality to healthcare, and ongoing education and training is crucial. Rouxbe offers a globally recognized online culinary training program to help educational institutions enhance their existing curriculum and increase learner engagement. Rouxbe is revolutionizing culinary education and is an invaluable resource for Career Technical Education (CTE) learners and educators.

Flexible Learning that Bridges Classroom and Real-World Experiences 

Rouxbe’s online culinary platform is designed to provide CTE leaders with a supplemental learning tool that can develop and reinforce fundamental culinary skills. CTE leaders can leverage Rouxbe’s platform to design programs and experiences that are responsive to industry needs, providing guidance and resources that reflect the modern workplace. Rouxbe’s training allows learners to explore different culinary career paths, develop specialized skills, and earn industry-recognized credentials that validate their expertise. 

Empowering Learners with Career-Connected Learning 

The Rouxbe platform provides career-connected learning experiences that sharpen learners’ skills, build their networks, and help them define their future selves. Through practical assessments and personalized feedback from professional chefs, learners can refine their techniques in a real-world context, gaining confidence and competency in their culinary abilities. Rouxbe’s emphasis on hands-on learning, even in a virtual environment, expands opportunities for high-quality work-based learning. The interactive assignments and step-by-step video lessons simulate the experience of being in a professional kitchen, allowing learners to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. This approach not only enhances technical skills but also prepares learners to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced culinary industry. 

Unlocking Career Success with Evidence-Based Strategies 

Rouxbe’s training supports CTE programs in unlocking career success, aligning with the four evidence-based strategies, or “keys”: postsecondary education and career guidance, dual enrollment opportunities, work-based learning, and industry-recognized credentials. By integrating Rouxbe into their curriculum, CTE educators can provide learners with access to high-quality education and career-connected experiences that set them up for success in the culinary field. 

A Coherent Education and Training System for Future Culinary Leaders 

As CTE programs continue to expand opportunities for high-quality work-based learning, platforms like Rouxbe will play a critical role in delivering the education and training necessary for learners to thrive. By embracing Rouxbe’s innovative approach, CTE leaders can ensure that every young person has the chance to apply classroom learning in real-world settings, develop essential skills, and connect with the industry professionals who will help shape their future careers.

https://rouxbe.com/pages/cte/

Autumn Gray, VP of Sales 

[email protected]

The views, opinions, services, and products shared in this post are solely for educational purposes and do not imply agreement or endorsement by Advance CTE, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

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Enhancing CTE Program Access and Credential Access in Arizona

September 27th, 2024

In this blog, Policy Associate Velie Sando highlights policies enacted by Arizona in 2024 that facilitate access to Career Technical Education (CTE) for adult learners and foster care youth, and that expand industry-recognized credentials for learners who complete apprenticeship programs.

Arizona’s CTE landscape saw multiple legislative developments in 2024, with several key policies enacted to enhance opportunities for learners and strengthen workforce development initiatives.

These policy changes align with Arizona’s broader goals for CTE, which include engaging learners in relevant experiences leading to purposeful and economically viable careers. The state’s commitment to CTE is evident in its extensive program offerings, ranging from Accounting and AgriScience to Welding Technologies. With 14 Career and Technical Education Districts formed throughout the state and 101 school districts participating, Arizona has created a robust infrastructure for delivering quality CTE programs.

One of the changes came with the passage of H.B. 2906, which expanded the capabilities of Career Technical Education Districts (CTEDs) across the state. This legislation empowered CTEDs to construct, maintain, and provide housing facilities for those in foster care or classified as unaccompanied youth. This move recognizes the barriers faced by such learners and aims to provide them with stable living environments conducive to their educational goals.

H.B. 2090 introduced a streamlined process for recognizing completed apprenticeship programs. Individuals who successfully finish a U.S. Department of Labor-approved or Arizona Department of Economic Security-approved apprenticeship program in construction trades can now file their certificates of completion directly. This change not only simplifies the documentation process but also ensures that apprentices’ achievements are properly recognized and recorded, potentially enhancing their employment prospects.

The year also saw modifications to the evaluation of adult education programs through S.B. 1113. This bill amended existing legislation on performance measures for adult education and workforce development programs. Notably, it prohibited the Arizona Department of Education from assigning letter grades to adult education and workforce development program schools established on or before July 1, 2024. This change reflects an innovative approach to assessing these programs, acknowledging their unique nature and the diverse needs of adult learners.

As Arizona continues to evolve its CTE landscape, these policies demonstrate a commitment to addressing the needs of diverse learner populations, streamlining professional recognition processes, and refining evaluation methods for adult education. These changes are likely to contribute to the state’s efforts in reaching its Achieve 60AZ goal of having 60% of Arizona adults hold a degree, high-demand workforce certification, or other high-value credential by 2030.

For more policies enacted in 2024, check out Advance CTE and ACTE’s Mid-Year in Review Webinar. 

Velie Sando, policy associate

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