In an era where career readiness is more crucial than ever, both Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Career-Connected Learning (CCL) programs are creating powerful pathways to student success. At the Business & Education Alliance (BEA), we're privileged to witness firsthand how these complementary approaches transform education and career preparation in school districts.
Two Paths, One Goal: Student Success
While CTE programs and career-connected learning initiatives share a common mission of connecting students with real-world workplace experiences and career exploration opportunities, how these programs are structured significantly impacts their success. Through our collaborations with schools, we've learned that organizational design plays a vital role in program effectiveness. Strong programs require thoughtful structural planning, sustainable processes, engaged leaders and educators, and scalable systems that can grow to serve more students consistently. Some schools achieve this through integrated CTE/CCL departments, while others maintain separate but coordinated programs. Though these organizational elements are crucial building blocks, we never lose sight of what matters most: student outcomes. The most beautifully designed program only succeeds when it demonstrably improves student engagement, achievement, and career readiness.
Building Strategic Foundations
Our collaboration with school districts goes beyond traditional program development. By implementing data-driven logic models, we're helping schools design and assess programs that deliver measurable outcomes.
Beyond program development, we're helping schools effectively brand their CTE pathways and CCL programs. This strategic approach ensures that students, parents, school leadership, and community partners understand the value and opportunities available and how to access them. Through careful branding and communication strategies, schools see increased enrollment and engagement in their pathways and programs year over year.
The Impact in Numbers
National data confirms the power of career education and workplace connections:
Students in career-focused programs achieve a 94% graduation rate—12 percentage points higher than the national average.
91% of CTE program participants continue to postsecondary education or advanced training.
85% of students report that workplace experiences helped them better understand their career interests.
Students involved in CTE pathways and CCL programs are twice as likely to find their studies relevant to their future careers.
Review the Feb. 2024 CTE Works! Flyer and visit ACTEonline.org to learn more about the numbers and how CTE classes and programs can help all students succeed in high school.
Success Through Integration
Some of our most successful partner schools have found innovative ways to blend CCL opportunities into their CTE programs, while others maintain separate but coordinated departments. Both approaches yield impressive results when supported by:
Strategic program design, development, and implementation
Strong employer partnerships through community intermediary programs
Clear education to career pathway branding
Intentional outcome measurement
Regular program assessment
Success in Action in Colorado Springs, CO
Each summer, the community intermediary program, Pikes Peak Business & Education Alliance (PPBEA), focuses on placing local high school students into 60-hour internships in four distinct industries: culinary & hospitality, computer science & cybersecurity, business & social impact, and skilled trades. Year after year, the data shows that over 33% of interns are offered a follow-up opportunity with the same business partner, such as a subsequent internship or an entry-level position. Each summer, PPBEA receives positive feedback from the business community. “We see our partnership with PPBEA as a long-term workforce development effort to meet prospective engineers while they are still in high school. Then, through their internship experiences, we want to cultivate relationships that land the students as ‘Bluestaquers’ a few years later!” from Rebecca Decker, Chief Operating Officer at Bluestaq, LLC.
Looking Forward
As we continue to support school systems in building robust, outcome-focused programs, we're inspired by educators' dedication and students' enthusiasm. The future of career education is bright, and BEA is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the tools, experiences, and opportunities they need for success.
Making Connections
The world of work is constantly evolving, and so is how we prepare students for it. Through our partnerships with schools, we've seen that successful career preparation can take many forms but always shares these key elements:
Organized, repeatable, and sustainable programs
Essential skills-based learning for students
Structured industry partner engagement
Career exploration opportunities
Real workplace interactions
Meaningful connections to future pathways
Are you ready to strengthen your career education initiatives? Contact us at info@businessandeducationalliance.org to discover how BEA can support your district's career connection and technical education programs.
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