ABOUT LCCTC

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Career and Technical Education

CTE programming is a great chance to engage with the businesses and industries in your area, like high-demand manufacturers, to provide these students with opportunities for job shadowing, mentoring, externships, internships, and more. Even better, these experiences provide an outstanding foundation to help students transition directly into community-supporting jobs immediately after graduation.

Technical training and the hands-on skills provided can enhance every student’s experience and competitiveness, whether they are interested in pursuing a career in construction, computer science, or finance. CTE courses are generally more hands-on than traditional academic coursework, and can help improve skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and communication in students.

As many as two-thirds of U.S. companies across multiple industries report difficulties finding qualified applicants for technical positions, with the biggest gaps in the technology and healthcare sector. Preparing students to meet the demands of the workforce while they are still in high school or college can be an important first step in helping close the skills gap. CTE classes can also prepare students for potentially lucrative and rewarding work, in many cases without the need for a four-year degree.

CTE WORKS WONDERS!

• 53% of Pennsylvania’s jobs require skills training - only 42% are trained

• The graduation rate for students in PA was 86%, but for students who concentrated in CTE instruction, the rate is 99%

  • According to ASCD (Feb. 2019), National rates are 93% CTE and 84.6% for traditional schools

• CTE learners claim to be more engaged with hands-on training, earn industry-recognized credentials, and have rewarding and family-sustaining careers.

• CTE integrates academics in a rigorous and relevant curriculum for an education that makes sense.

• CTE enhances academic courses with work experience and life skills.

• CTE prepares students to be college AND career ready while providing core academic, employability, and job-specific skills.

• CTE is good for students, good for business, and good for communities!

• Visit www.education.pa.gov/cte or www.careertechpa.org for more information.