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The Value of CTE: Career and Technical Education Facts and Statistics

Kai Frazier
August 11, 2022

According to Career and Technical Education (CTE) facts and statistics, CTE has been shown to have a number of benefits for students. These include improved academic performance, increased graduation rates, and higher post-secondary enrollment rates.

Despite these positive outcomes, many lesson plans do not incorporate CTE. There are a few reasons for this:

  • Educators may not be aware of the benefits of CTE
  • School administrators may  see CTE as a third-party program
  • Parents may think CTE is only for people who don't want to go to college
  • Educators may not know how to incorporate CTE into their existing curriculum
  • Schools may not have access to the necessary CTE resources

In this blog post, we will discuss facts about career and technical education, provide statistics, and show you how you can incorporate CTE into your lesson plans using virtual reality.

What is Career and Technical Education?

CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. It's a broad term that refers to any type of educational program that helps students prepare for a particular career. CTE programs can be found at all levels of education, from elementary school to college and beyond.

No matter what the focus, CTE programs share a common goal: give students the 21st century learning skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen field. For many students, CTE programs provide an invaluable introduction to the world of work. 

Through hands-on learning and real-world experience, CTE programs can help students discover their talents and interests and set them on the path to a fulfilling career.

Career and Technical Education Facts and Benefits

CTE programs offer students the chance to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will help them in the workforce. Many CTE programs also offer internships and other job-shadowing opportunities, giving students a chance to explore different careers and get real-world experience.

In recent years, CTE has come to be seen as an essential part of preparing students for the 21st-century workforce. As our economy continues to evolve, it's more important than ever for students to have the skills and training they need to succeed. CTE programs provide an excellent way for students to get ahead in their chosen career fields.

There are a ton of reasons now is a great time to get excited about CTE:

  • CTE enrollment is high
  • CTE has plenty of opportunities
  • CTE grads can make more money
  • CTE fields like arts and AV tech are really taking off
  • CTE proves college isn’t the only pathway to success
  • CTE makes students more likely to succeed

CTE enrollment is high, and that's a good thing.

Student participation in CTE is 77%. High CTE enrollment is good for a number of reasons.

First, it can help to boost graduation rates. CTE programs often provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, which can help them stay on track to graduate. Additionally, CTE programs can help to prepare students for successful careers after graduation. 

High CTE enrollment can help to grow the economy. CTE programs often focus on industries that are growing or in demand, and by training students in these areas, CTE programs can help to meet the needs of businesses and drive economic growth.

There is still plenty of opportunity in career and technical education.

In recent years, studies have shown that only 25% of students take courses that could help them become part of the country's greatest industries. As a result, many students are missing out on the chance to develop essential skills that could lead to successful careers.

One way to address this issue is to expand the use of CTE in schools. Educators should work to not only integrate CTE into the curriculum, but also ensure that CTE courses are rigorously taught and that they cover a broad range of topics. 

Additionally, it is important to provide students with opportunities to explore different careers and learn about the many options available to them. It is important to let students broaden their use of CTE to discover new careers because many will not know what they are interested in or passionate about until they try it.

Those who receive career and technical education can make more money.

CTE programs provide students with the skills and knowledge that are essential for success in today's workforce. In addition, CTE programs often offer internships and other opportunities for students to gain real-world experience. 

As a result, CTE graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the working world and are able to command higher salaries. For example, healthcare workers with a CTE background saw as high as 70% wage increases.

By utilizing CTE programs correctly, students can set themselves up for success in their chosen careers.

Arts, Audio-Visual Technology, and Communication are popular CTE sectors

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are designed to prepare students for a specific career or trade. CTE programs offer students the chance to learn the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in their chosen field.

The most popular sectors of CTE are Arts, Audio-Visual Technology, and Communication. These sectors offer students the opportunity to learn about various aspects of their chosen field, including design, production, and communication.

CTE programs in these sectors typically include coursework in both theoretical and practical applications. As a result, students who complete a CTE program in one of these sectors are often well-prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.

CTE helps bridge the skill gap between being a student and being a working professional.

CTE students don't need to go to college to get a good job.

Your Gen Alpha students may not need to go to college to get a good job. 

As of 2017, there were 30 million jobs that paid a median of $55,000 annually that did not require a bachelor's degree. While a college degree can give you an edge in the job market, there are many well-paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree.

Thanks to programs like Career and Technical Education (CTE), your students can learn the skills they need to succeed in a wide range of careers. CTE programs offer hands-on training in areas like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology. These industries are fast-growing and in need of skilled employees. Due to this, many CTE graduates are finding good jobs right out of high school.

You might be surprised by what your students can achieve without a college degree.

Students with career and technical education are more likely to succeed.

According to the California Department of Education:

  • 80% of CTE students met college and career readiness goals. Only 63% of students who just enrolled in college prep met these goals.
  • There is a 90% CTE student high school graduation rate versus a 75% average nationwide graduation rate.
  • If students with a low–risk profile enroll in a CTE program, they are eight to ten times less likely to drop out of school in the 11th and 12th grades.
  • 79% of CTE concentrators enrolled in postsecondary education within 2 years of high school graduation.
  • According to experts, there will be 47 million job openings in the next 10 years. One-third will require an associate's degree or certificate, and nearly all of them will require real-world abilities that can be learned through CTE.

These career and technical education facts and statistics suggest that students who receive career and technical education are more likely to find employment after graduation and to experience greater success in the workforce.

How Can Educators Make CTE More Accessible?

While career and technical education are becoming increasingly prolific across every age group, there is still a lot of room to grow. Here are a few ways educators can make CTE more accessible:

  1. Offering CTE courses online or through distance learning
  2. Making CTE courses part of the regular curriculum
  3. Giving students the opportunity to explore different CTE fields before they choose a concentration
  4. Providing resources and support for educators
  5. Incorporating VR into CTE curriculum

Offer CTE courses online or through distance learning

When schools offer CTE courses online or through distance learning, it makes the courses more accessible to students who may not be able to take the courses during the school day, such as those who work or have childcare responsibilities.

Additionally, offering CTE courses online or through distance learning can allow students to take more classes if they want to explore multiple career areas. Ultimately, this can lead to more informed and prepared graduates who are better equipped to enter the workforce.

Make CTE courses part of the regular curriculum

One of the most promising career and technical education facts is that 12.3 million students reported enrollment in a CTE course nationwide. But far more students could reap the benefits of career and technical education if they had direct access to it.

Making CTE courses part of the regular curriculum would give all students the opportunity to take them, not just those who elect to do so.

A recent push to expand access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses has led many states to consider making these courses part of the regular high school curriculum. 

Proponents of this approach argue that it would give all students the opportunity to take advantage of CTE courses, not just those who elect to do so. This would allow more students to explore potential career paths and gain the skills they need to be successful in the workforce. 

Additionally, by making CTE courses part of the regular curriculum, schools would be able to provide a more well-rounded education that prepares students for both college and career.

However, expanding access to CTE courses is an important step in preparing all students for success.

Let students explore CTE fields before concentrating

CTE allows students to explore different fields before they choose a concentration. This way, they can find the field that interests them the most and get a head start on their career path.

By shadowing professionals in different fields and participating in hands-on activities, students can learn about the day-to-day realities of different careers and decide which field is the best fit for their interests and skills. 

With this information, students can make informed choices about their CTE concentrations, ensuring that they are on the path to a successful career.

Provide resources and support for educators

When educators have the right resources and support, they can feel confident in teaching CTE courses. This includes having access to quality curriculum and materials, as well as professional development opportunities.

With Kai XR, educators have resources that help them improve their lesson plans. They provide educators with access to quality curriculum and materials, as well as professional development opportunities. With their resources, CTE teachers can feel confident in their ability to prepare students for success after graduation.

Incorporate VR into CTE curriculum

Virtual reality can be used in a number of ways to support CTE education. For example, VR can be used to teach students about safety procedures and how to use equipment.

Virtual reality for teaching also has the ability to transport users to different environments and allow them to interact with their surroundings in a way that is not possible with traditional methods such as books or videos. 

This can be particularly beneficial for CTE, as it allows students to gain first-hand experience of what it is like to work in a particular field or occupation. When used correctly, VR can be an extremely powerful teaching tool. 

CTE Lesson Plan Examples

Virtual reality can be used in a number of ways to support CTE education. For example, VR can be used to give students a realistic view of what it's like to work in a certain field or occupation. VR can also be used to teach students about safety procedures and how to use equipment.

Below are some examples of CTE lesson plans with educational VR:

  • Career Education in Mixed Reality
  • Virtual Museum Tour
  • Medical Career Education With VR
  • Solar System Exploration
  • Protecting Wildlife and a Career in Conservation

Career Education in Mixed Reality

For students interested in working in a mixed reality studio, there are several VR lesson plans that can be used to give them a taste of what the job would entail. These lesson plans typically involve using VR technology to create 3D models or environments. Kai XR even offers a virtual field trip to a mixed-reality studio, allowing students to get a more hands-on experience.

On this field trip, students can  explore 3D models from all angles, getting a feel for how they would need to think in order to create a successful mixed reality experience. By the end of the lesson, students should have a better understanding of what it takes to work in a mixed reality studio and be able to apply their new knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Virtual Museum Tour

Educators can use VR to give students insight into what it's like to work in a museum. A virtual museum visit is a great place to start. You can have students take a look around the digital model and pay attention to the different exhibits. As they walk through the museum, students can make note of the different jobs that they see people doing: 

  • What does the curator do? 
  • What do the security guards do? 
  • What about the docents?

VR visits to museums are a great, low-cost way to give your students a taste of what it's like to work in a museum and learn about the different jobs that are available.

Medical Career Education With VR

For students interested in working in the medical field, VR can be an invaluable tool for exploring different aspects of the job. VR provides a realistic and immersive way to gain experience in the field as well as a way to pique students’ interest. Kai XR offers a virtual field trip inside the human body to get a better understanding of how it works.

In the CRISPR exploration virtual field trip, students can see firsthand what it’s like to work on the human genome and make scientific breakthroughs for the future.

Solar System Exploration

VR can be an immersive and exciting way to learn about the solar system. Students can strap on a headset and be transported to another world where they can explore the planets and learn about their unique features.

A VR lesson plan for students interested in the solar system might include a visit to each of the planets, where they can learn about the different climates and terrain. They could also learn about the formation of the solar system, and how the planets orbit the sun. 

By experiencing the solar system firsthand, students can gain a deeper understanding of its complexities and marvel at its beauty.

Protecting Wildlife and a Career in Conservation

According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are more than 200,000 known species of animals on Earth, and each one plays an important role in its ecosystem. Unfortunately, many wildlife populations are in decline due to factors like:

  • Habitat loss 
  • Pollution 
  • Climate change 

As a result, it is essential that we help to protect and conserve our planet's wildlife.

One way to do this is by teaching children about the importance of wildlife and inspiring them to take action. A virtual reality lesson plan can be a great way to engage students and get them excited about helping wildlife. 

By immersing them in a realistic VR environment, students can learn about the challenges that animals face and the importance of taking action to protect them. This can be a powerful tool for inspiring students to care about wildlife and becoming conservationists.

Give Students Career and Technical Education With Kai XR!

The career and technical education facts and statistics are clear: by incorporating CTE into lesson plans with virtual reality, educators can give students a realistic view of what it's like to work in a certain field or occupation. This way, students can get a head start on their career path and be better prepared for the workforce.

Kai XR is a great resource for educators who want to incorporate VR into their lesson plans. Kai XR provides resources that help educators improve their lesson plans and make them more engaging for students. With Kai XR, educators have access to quality curriculum and materials, as well as professional development opportunities.

If you're looking for a way to give your students a leg up in their career and technical education, look no further than Kai XR! With our resources and support, educators can confidently teach CTE courses with VR.

There's no time better than now to get started with our educational VR, perfect for programs and schools.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

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In memory of my sunshine, Ky(ra) G. Frazier. Love you to the moon and back.