Sitting in a classroom and taking lessons day after day is not a way to motivate young people to learn. Students want educational experiences that engage them, connect classroom lessons to real-world relevance, and help them find meaning in what they learn in school.
Today, many young people find this type of learning in high-quality career and technical education programs across the country that teach learning experiences tailored to today’s industry needs. This means opportunities to explore career options that match their strengths and interests and help them learn key technical and sustainable skills.
It was not always this way.
In 2019, only 13% of parents thought hands-on CTE programs were well-suited for high-achieving students, rather than those who struggled with traditional learning.
Yet in a investigation Last year, more than a third (35%) of parents of middle and high school students said high school CTE programs are best suited for high-achieving students, signaling a shift that even those who excel academically can and should benefit from hands-on learning.
Attitudes toward CTE and non-degree postsecondary programs (trade schools, industry certifications, tech boot camps, apprenticeships, etc.) are also changing: The percentage of parents who prefer non-degree tracks over traditional colleges for their children has increased 6 points over the past six years to 17 percent, according to the survey conducted by Britebondformerly American Student Assistance, where I serve as president and CEO.
Parents now recognize that there are more engaging ways to prepare young people for their futures, demonstrating a growing acceptance of a wider range of career education programs. Change is important because parents are both the decision makers for their children’s K-12 education and the main influencers in post-secondary projects for teenagers.
And although conventional wisdom has long held that the only path to professional success is through a college degree, that is no longer the case today. the case. Nearly one in five workers without a degree earned more than a college graduate’s median salary of $70,000 a year, while about 2 million workers without a degree earned more than six figures a year, according to a recent study. research by The Burning Glass Institute and Britebound revealed.
The research also revealed crucial choices that put individuals on the path to these lucrative careers, starting with their first job. These employees began their careers in certain entry-level or “launch positions” that offer a combination of good pay and benefits, job stability, and opportunities for rapid career advancement.
The report identified 73 launchpad jobs across various sectors, although many of them are geared toward technical work. Examples include EMTs, electricians, bank tellers, and other jobs that require skills taught in CTE programs.
These are now pathways to launchpad jobs and professions built on the strong skills base found in CTE programs. In addition to acquiring in-demand technical and sustainable skills, these students acquired:
- Practical training: By giving students the opportunity to apply their technical and sustainable skills to real-world projects, they gain valuable experience that gives them a competitive advantage when applying for their first job.
- Industry Mentors: By connecting young people with working professionals, they ensure they have timely, realistic information about careers, including salaries, job security, training requirements and advancement opportunities.
- Clear paths: Some CTE programs allow students to earn certifications along the way, helping them navigate the path to career success.
- Sustainable skills: Universal skills demanded by employers, regardless of the field, are generally referred to as sustainable skills. These are the type of skills that every worker needs, regardless of their job, and that can be transferred from one field to another, such as collaboration, communication, flexibility and problem solving. A study by America Succeeds found that70 percent of the most in-demand skills in nearly 82 million job postings are sustainable skills. These are skills that are valuable not only for any career, but also for adult life.
These benefits show why students should consider CTE programs. Influencers, including parents, educators, and counselors, can help by learning more about available CTE opportunities so they can best advise young people based on their interests and strengths.
Regardless of the postsecondary path taken, a critical piece of the puzzle missing in making this decision is the opportunity for young people to explore their options before making a choice after postsecondary education.
Students who are exposed to career exploration opportunities and CTE programs, or who complete a career-preparatory learning opportunity such as an internship or entrepreneurial experience, are clearly better prepared understand the types of professional training that match their aspirations, skills and career goals.
Unfortunately, far too many students leave high school without this opportunity for professional training. Instead, they choose postsecondary education aimlessly, rather than pursuing options that match their career goals.
We must do a better job of helping high school students prepare for the path ahead of them by ensuring they have access to resources that help them understand all of their options and pathways to success, including access to a wide variety of CTE programs.
Julie Lammers is President and CEO of Britebondformerly American Student Assistance.
This opinion piece on career and technical education was produced by The Hechinger reportan independent, nonprofit news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Register for the Hechinger newsletter.
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