Five CTE trends to watch in 2025

Key points:

What do today's students need to know before entering the workforce? While the future is theirs to create, today's career and technical education (CTE) providers are adapting to meet the moment and providing students with access to opportunities to develop the skills they need to succeed.

As we approach 2025, here are five trends we can expect to see more of in the coming year.

1. Greater focus on ai training. Maybe this is a fact. But, according to Dr. JJ Ayers, who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acteonline.org/blog/2024/09/15/ai-can-transform-cte/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>wrote for the Association for Career and Technical EducationNot only are more teachers embracing ai in CTE programs, but there is likely a greater focus on helping students navigate these tools. Practical exercises using ai (NAF's latest KnoPro challenge is a great example of what this could look like) or an emphasis on Future-ready skillssuch as problem solving, communication, and social awareness, which help students understand as Using ai more efficiently and the limits of language learning models will be an important anchor in preparing students for their future.

1. CTE is gaining popularity, with an increase in digital and virtual tools. More and more students are showing interest in CTE programs at their schools, especially as demand for skilled workers grows across the United States. They help make the classroom experience more relevant, engaging, and aligned with the needs of both students, who will become our nation's future workforce. leaders) and the evolving job market, as well as preparing students who plan to go to college. Hands-on learning will continue to be key, but CTE providers now have many more options to expand access to opportunities through online learning platforms. KnoProA free digital tool for students ages 13 and older, it gives them the chance to participate in authentic business projects with mentorship from industry professionals and opportunities to win cash prizes.

1. Working to expand the full range of work-based learning opportunities. High school is the time when the next generation of talent makes crucial decisions about their future, making it even more essential that they familiarize themselves with the world of work before making their decisions.. All students should have opportunities to explore a variety of college and career paths and have access to the full range of experiences (job shadows, workplace tours, apprenticeships, internships, etc.). These experiences prepare them not only to make informed career decisions, but also to help them build your social capital and gain economic mobility. Our outcomes-based approach to work-based learning (ODWBL) focuses on 3 specific outcomes that students should achieve by the end of high school and helps equip them with the aspirations, skills, and connections necessary to navigate their career paths and succeed in a variety of paths.

1. More and more employers are considering skills-based training programs. CTE programs will likely refocus on the development of technical and Future Ready technologies (or durable) Skills that employers consider necessary as they increasingly consider the merits of skills-based hiring. Higher education will still be necessary for many jobs, but we're likely to see employers become more critical about whether a bachelor's degree makes sense for a particular position, especially now that skills-based hiring is on the rise. To illustrate this point, see this Recent Netflix documentary.

1. States and the federal government want more CTE programs. In recent years, states such as Indiana, Idahoand Illinois have expressed interest in making these programs more available, either through legislation or calls for increased funding. Even the Senate with a bipartisan billhopes to fund programs through state grants. We can only hope that more and more states join in.