Career and Technical Education

Career and technical education (CTE) connects students in a hands-on way to what they are learning, whether it's witnessing the complex chemistry behind the internal combustion engine or writing a detailed quarterly business plan. Academics and job skills, when taught together, can focus a student's attention on career goals and provide the tools to reach those goals.

Employer demand for students with this blend of academics and job skill training continues to grow, especially in high-demand fields such as health care and construction.

Return on Investment
Workforce Board studies routinely show CTE and professional/technical students pay back the public's investment in their education by earning more and therefore paying more in taxes--at a rate of seven to one. Those who complete a CTE program are expected to earn almost $60,000 more by the time they are 65 than those who have not participated in CTE. See the four-page pamphlet CTE: An Investment in Success to learn more.

Get connected to CTE programs and initiatives

• See what's new in career and technical education at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Read about Washington's CTE profile from the Association for Career and Technical Education.
• Learn more about career clusters.

See what Workforce Board's Performance Data says about Career & Technical Education

• Invest in Success Brochure
• Workforce Core Measure Results for CTE 2008

Technical High School Feasibility Study, Sept. 2009