CTE concentrators are far less likely to drop out of high school than the national average, a difference estimate to save the economy $168 billion each year.

Shattering the outdated perception that CTE students are training to take a low-skill job out of high school, recent studies indicate that over 75% of CTE concentrators pursue post-secondary after graduating high school.

A core component of the Vision for CTE outlined in Reflect, Transform, Leads: A New Vision for Career Technical Education is aligning CTE programs with workforce needs. Modern program standards, like those in Washington, require private-sector voices to be equal participants on both general and program-specific advisory committees directing CTE programs.

Most projections of upcoming changes in the labor market indicate that not all sectors will grow equally in the short or mid-term. The largest projected growth will likely take place in the healthcare industry where CTE has been rapidly expanding for the years.

Providing work-based learning opportunities like job shadowing and internships is a core pillar of the CTE Vision and high-quality CTE programs.

Even as middle skill jobs (requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a baccalaureate degree) comprise 54% of the labor market today, only 44% of workers fall into the middle skill cohort.

84% of adult CTE concentrators went from CTE study to further education or employment within six months of completing their program.

CTE is a system on data and accountability that prices business sense and practical thinking. Studies indicate that CTE generates an enormous long-term return on investment for participants and for society as a whole. One study focused on apprenticeship programs indicated that states would reap $35 in tax receipts for every dollar invested in internships over the career of an apprentice.

87% of American – and 89% of public school parents – agree that students should receive more education about career choices while in high school.