“Pull back the curtain… and you’re going to become a problem solver, a real-world problem solver and that’s a pretty powerful tool to have.” 1
Tom Kaiser, Maine THSD 207 2nd generation CTE Teacher
The Rebranding of Career Technical Education
Historically, vocational education aimed to equip students with job-specific practical skills and knowledge tailored to particular occupations. While effective in its time, the rapidly changing global economy now demands a workforce with a broader skill set that is adaptable to various roles. This shift has prompted educators and school districts to reassess the structure and content of vocational education programs, as well as the facilities supporting them.
CTE and Career Pathways embody a contemporary and expansive approach to preparing students for the future. Unlike traditional vocational education, these programs blend academic knowledge with hands-on practical skills, prioritizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. This acknowledges the reality that 21st-century careers often demand a mix of technical proficiency and a strong academic foundation.
One notable distinction between traditional shop classes of the past and modern CTE environments is the ability to offer innovative pathways to more far-reaching career and talent experiences. For example, at Maine Township High School District in Park Ridge, Illinois, students can explore a wide range of interests such as fashion merchandising, manufacturing, health services, and digital marketing. These programs demonstrate that regardless of their immediate post-secondary plans, students can pursue fulfilling and successful careers aligned with their interests and passions after graduation.
An Obsolete Stigma
The outdated perceptions associated with vocational education from the past are increasingly irrelevant today. Previously, vocational education was unfortunately seen as an alternative for students in lieu of academics. However, these programs have evolved to align more closely with academic standards and are now strongly supported by academic institutions. They emphasize both academic and practical skills, making them attractive to a wider range of students. These programs are no longer geared toward a few students targeting a few jobs but are often the most popular programs for all students to prepare for all futures.
As a result, modern CTE and Career Pathways environments bear little resemblance to their predecessors focused on wood shop, sewing, and home economics – and rightfully so. Today's CTE environments not only incorporate real-world experiences but also draw inspiration from students' interests, passions, and aspirations. The excitement of tackling complex problems through hands-on project work in collaborative teams is fostered in spaces designed differently from traditional classrooms dedicated to core learning.
CTE offerings and spaces, like the new culinary arts labs at Downers Grove South High School, are gaining more attention among students.
The new "Build Lab" at Maine East High School provides a much more rigorous and engaging environment than a traditional wood shop, allowing students to explore genuine interests in architecture, building trades, construction, and engineering.
CTE offerings and spaces, like the new culinary arts labs at Downers Grove South High School, are gaining more attention among students.
The new "Build Lab" at Maine East High School provides a much more rigorous and engaging environment than a traditional wood shop, allowing students to explore genuine interests in architecture, building trades, construction, and engineering.
Technological Advancements
The rapid advancement of technology has significantly reshaped the job market, generating a need for workers skilled in areas such as information technology, robotics, cybersecurity, 3D animation, and similar fields. Schools are adapting their CTE programs to match these evolving demands, preparing students with the necessary skills to excel in today's workforce.
To stay current with technological developments, school districts continuously update their curriculum and facilities, integrating the latest tools, software, and methodologies. This proactive approach guarantees that students graduate well-versed in the technologies relevant to their chosen career paths.
Continuous Adaptation
With the rapid pace of technological advancement, it's crucial for certain CTE environments to maintain flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving industry demands. From a planning perspective, enabling shared access to equipment, materials, storage, and infrastructure enhances the adaptability of the learning environment.
Moreover, CTE environments are frequently designed as shared learning spaces, encompassing classrooms, laboratories, workshops, and simulated workspaces. This flexibility empowers educators to select the most suitable setting for various types of instruction, promoting a well-rounded and adaptable educational experience.
CTE programs are designed to meet current and future job market needs, ensuring graduates are adaptable and employable. Unlike traditional vocational education, CTE programs collaborate closely with local businesses and industries to align curricula with workforce requirements, providing students with relevant skills.
At Maine East High School, significant effort is made to provide programs that are state-of-the-art and current with industry standards and employment expectations.
In the new CTE wing at Downers Grove North High School, having access to a shared fabrication shop (background) allows the lab spaces to serve and adapt to a variety of career pathways, such as animation, engineering, fabrication, and architecture.
At Maine East High School, significant effort is made to provide programs that are state-of-the-art and current with industry standards and employment expectations.
In the new CTE wing at Downers Grove North High School, having access to a shared fabrication shop (background) allows the lab spaces to serve and adapt to a variety of career pathways, such as animation, engineering, fabrication, and architecture.
Holistic Skill Development
CTE integrates academic and technical skills, fostering a comprehensive approach to education that prepares students for a wide range of careers and further educational pursuits. Recognizing the importance of soft skills in the modern workplace, these programs emphasize the development of communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Business leaders agree that the ability to collaborate in a team, working together to solve problems and clearly communicate with others are the most valuable skills sought in young professionals. With that, comes the need to provide environments in our schools that allow the cultivation of such real-world abilities.
“We really try to link our classes to what skills are necessary in the job market.” 1
Greg Reichelt, Maine THSD 207 CTE
The new culinary arts labs at Joliet Township High School District 204, soon to be under construction, were designed with input from professional chefs and partners from local colleges, ensuring an authentic learning environment and maintaining consistency across the learning continuum for students.
The new business incubator Maine West High School provides an environment where students can develop their ideas and present them to their peers.
The new culinary arts labs at Joliet Township High School District 204, soon to be under construction, were designed with input from professional chefs and partners from local colleges, ensuring an authentic learning environment and maintaining consistency across the learning continuum for students.
The new business incubator Maine West High School provides an environment where students can develop their ideas and present them to their peers.
Cross-Disciplinary Integration
To prepare students for interdisciplinary work environments, CTE spaces encourage bridging different subjects, students, and instructors through visibility and connectivity. This blending of elements from various technical and academic disciplines provides students with a more holistic experience. Disciplines that have traditionally been taught in departmental “silos” are now shared experiences, blurring the boundaries between traditional academic subjects.
The development of interdisciplinary environments that allow students to solve problems using aspects of many disciplines at once is a major movement in educational facility design. At New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, the spaces supporting the CTE programs were designed in an interconnected “suite of spaces,” where students can easily traverse between each area as they develop their projects, utilize shared resources, conduct experiments, and highlight their work.
Conclusion
The shift from vocational education to CTE and Career Pathways in schools represents a necessary response to the changing dynamics of the modern workforce. By embracing a more comprehensive approach that integrates academic and technical skills, CTE programs aim to produce graduates who are not only well-equipped for specific careers but also possess the adaptability and critical thinking skills necessary for lifelong success. The inherent benefits for students, industries, and communities make the shift towards CTE an essential development in education. Wight & Company is honored to help create the environments in which this promising evolution is taking place.
“Basically, [CTE] starts a route that leads me into the future.” 1
CTE Student, Maine THSD 207
Project-based, hands-on learning is foundational to CTE. In spaces like the “Innovation Studio” at Maine South High School, students gain competency alongside knowledgeability.
At New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, spaces with names like "The Design Sandbox" and "The Fab Lab" interconnect with one another in a suite of spaces.
Project-based, hands-on learning is foundational to CTE. In spaces like the “Innovation Studio” at Maine South High School, students gain competency alongside knowledgeability.
At New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, spaces with names like "The Design Sandbox" and "The Fab Lab" interconnect with one another in a suite of spaces.
1. Career and Technical Education – in District 207. Maine Township High School District, February 16, 2021. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
