The Value of CTE

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Throughout our region, CTE (also known as vocational) programs are equipping students with real-world skills, connecting them with local and regional employers, and setting them up for success well into the future. COPESD partners with school districts and industry leaders in providing these programs to students in our schools and across the region.

Key employability skills are:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Professionalism

The graduation rate for students who take at least two credits of a career pathway course is 95%. Students take part in classroom learning, hands-on experience, internships and shadowing through CTE programs.

A 2024 survey by COPESD provided key insights on CTE and vocational programming.

• 67% acknowledged the growing need for high school graduates with CTE-related skills.
• 83% recognized the difficulty employers face in finding workers with vocational training.
• 94% agreed that COPESD's initiative to enhance and expand CTE programs would be beneficial to the community.