Front Page: Career and Technical Education
By Theresa Kelly GegenThe future workforce is evolving at an unprecedented rate. We’ve heard the term “Educating for jobs that don’t exist yet,” which involves teaching students transferable skills to adapt to changing times. This theoretically includes developing human skills like collaboration, communication, and learning to apply content knowledge. It also functionally includes jobs that truly didn’t exist in the public realm 20 years ago: AI engineer, SEO specialist, drone pilot, sustainability manager, cybersecurity expert, podcaster …
Jobs that are in demand and require technical skills and training — such as health care, technology, manufacturing, construction, information technology, teaching, agriculture, culinary arts, aviation, and more — are changing and changing fast.
As we share in this issue of the Illinois School Board Journal, public education is forwarding career and technical education and is working to keep up with the changing times as well.
CTE provides students with the specialized skills and knowledge needed for many high-demand careers. CTE prepares students for successful careers in sectors experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. By offering hands-on training and practical learning experiences, CTE equips students with the specific skills employers are seeking, helping students be job-ready upon graduation.
CTE offers alternative routes to career success for students not seeking a four-year college degree. CTE prepares students for jobs that are in high demand and may come with competitive salaries. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, CTE ensures workers have the skills to meet these changes. CTE in K-12 education has an equity component as well, by providing opportunities for students, who may face barriers to what we consider traditional higher education, to access professional-level training and move on to well-paying careers. By creating pathways for students to gain the skills they need for meaningful employment, CTE helps to reduce disparities in the labor market.
While technical expertise is a key component of CTE, these programs also emphasize skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management. CTE prepares students to adapt to the dynamic nature of modern careers and to work effectively in a collaborative and rapidly changing environment.
Across Illinois, educators are working towards improving and expanding CTE offerings. Several of them gave their time and expertise to this issue of the Journal, and they have my thanks. Many are advocating for CTE funding and implementations, and many more are in the classroom, the shop, the kitchen, the clinic, or even in the air, teaching tomorrow’s workforce. CTE will play a crucial role in ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. If you have a story to share with your fellow school board members, in Career and Technical Education or otherwise, please reach out.<
Theresa Kelly Gegen is Director of Communications/Editorial Services with IASB and the Editor of the Illinois School Board Journal. You can reach her at tgegen@iasb.com.