As the economy continues to see an overall downturn, industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and energy are experiencing growth. This growth is being hindered due to the lack of qualified and skilled workers. In order to create a competitive workforce it is imperative that we align our education, workforce and economic development systems.

A new issue brief, Career Technical Education and Business Partners: Bridging Education and the Economy, spotlights NOVA Community College and State Farm Insurance – two exemplary examples of education-employer partnerships within the career technical education (CTE) community. This issue brief is the second of a five-part series reflecting our association’s vision for CTE in preparing all students to enter into the global economy. Business and industry partnerships represent one of the overarching themes within the five core principles of our vision for CTE.

NOVA Community College and State Farm Insurance are examples of how education-employer partnerships are beneficial to the development of our future workforce and the preparation of students within CTE programs. By cultivating these partnerships, business and industry are able to work with high schools and community colleges to provide insight into their fields and help build a rigorous curriculum to fully prepare students to enter into the workforce.