The United States is facing a projected deficit of 6.5 million skilled workers over the next decade, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).
Some key industries and occupations facing talent shortages include:
- Health care
- Manufacturing
- Infrastructure
- Operations and logistics
- Information technology
- Education
However, CTE programs in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia are equipped to meet the demands of these industries and other skilled occupations.
To create a foundation for curriculum design and instruction, CTE programs often organize into career clusters that represent a skilled workforce sector, and from there students can follow even more specialized pathways depending on their area of interest.
Career pathway programs aim to help develop academic, technical, and employability skills, and to gain the real-world experience needed for successful, in-demand jobs. In addition, CTE career clusters help students discover their interests and their passions and empower them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college, and career.
Nationally, there are 16 career clusters that represent 79 career pathways for students to explore various potential careers in a wide range of fields and industries. CTE programs at the state level can then modify the offered career clusters and pathways depending on the needs of their local workforce.
In states and territories that Amtek services, here is a breakdown of career clusters:
| Maryland | Delaware | Virginia | West Virginia | District of Columbia |
| Arts, Media and Communication | Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AgriScience) | Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources | Architecture & Construction |
| Business Management and Finance | Architecture & Construction | Architecture and Construction | Architecture & Construction | Arts, A/V Technology & Communications |
| Construction and Development | Arts, A/V Technology & Communications | Arts, A/V Technology and Communications | Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications | Business Management & Administration |
| Consumer Services, Hospitality and Tourism | Business Management & Administration | Business Management and Administration | Business Management & Administration | Education & Training |
| Environmental, Agriculture and Natural Resources | Education & Training | Education and Training | Education & Training | Finance |
| Health and Biosciences | Finance Careers | Energy | Finance | Health Science |
| Human Resource Services | Health Sciences | Finance | Government & Public Administration | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Information Technology | Hospitality & Tourism | Government and Public Administration | Health Science
|
Human Services |
| Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Information Technology | Health Science | Hospitality & Tourism | Information Technology |
| Transportation Technologies | Manufacturing | Hospitality and Tourism | Human Services | Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security |
| Career Research and Development | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) | Human Services | Information Technology
|
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics |
| Apprenticeship Maryland | Transportation, Distribution & Logistics | Information Technology | Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security | Transportation, Distribution & Logistics |
| Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security | Manufacturing | |||
| Manufacturing | Marketing | |||
| Marketing | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics | |||
| Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics | Transportation, Distribution & Logistics | |||
| Transportation, Distribution and Logistics |
No matter what pathway students find themselves on during their education, local CTE programs continue to stand out in secondary and higher-ed. From innovative projects to exploring state-of-the-art facilities, here are some of our favorite examples of where CTE pathways can lead.
Maryland
Students studying additive manufacturing at the US Naval Academy recently were instructed to build an Open RC car as a group project using different methods, including different 3D printers. MakerSpace USNA students also used 3D scanning technology to make a 3D-printed replica of Roger Staubach’s Heisman Trophy.
Western Maryland Works Training Center and MakerSpace was established to prepare the future workforce for manufacturing and technology demands in the region, using state-of-the-art equipment and instruction. And according to a local manufacturing company, the program is really working.
Similarly, the Makerspace at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity Center aims to be a catalyst for economic growth in the region through innovation and collaboration. The space is equipped with equipment like 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters, robotics, CAD, and more. Explore the space here.
Delaware
Under its 12 career clusters, Delaware CTE offers 25 pathway programs including animal science and management, public and community health, engineering, and more.
One school under the Delaware Pathways program is Polytech High School, who’s CTE programs were featured on NBC Nightly News. The feature allows a look at students as they gain real world experience and certifications as they explore careers in health and medical services, industrial and modern technology, and professional services.
Virginia
Students can be on a career and technical education pathway as early as middle school in Charlottesville. Buford Middle School and the University of Virginia developed a STEM program at the middle school level that encourages innovation and critical thinking. Students have the freedom to be creative and make projects like baby toys and a guitar.
Southwest Virginia Community College hosted an opportunity for high school students to test their skills in technical education. The Skills USA competition gives real-world experiences to students in industries such as automotive and welding, which are facing a demand for workers.
At Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s Career Tech Academy, workforce staff were recently trained on Lucas Nulle energy trainers, which will be integrated into programs to provide relevant, hands-on training to students.
West Virginia
If students end up on the manufacturing pathway in West Virginia, Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University supports manufacturing education through high-tech equipment and workforce programs. Any number of things are innovated and manufactured every day, including this project produced on a computer-controlled mill.
District of Columbia
The district offers over 50 CTE programs across 24 pathways, including biotechnology, cosmetology, HVACR, and more. DC high school students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, as well as important life lessons for future careers in their studies.
