Career Technical Education and the College Completion Agenda
California’s community colleges are key to resolving the shortage of educated workers that is threatening the competitive position of the state’s economy. Tremendous potential for addressing this challenge resides in the system’s career technical education (CTE) mission which, with appropriate structures and support, could help many more students earn credentials with value in the workplace. In two previous installments of a four-part series of reports titled Career Opportunities the following issues have been covered:
Career Technical Education and the College Completion Agenda , concluded that the CTE mission in the California Community Colleges is not organized and supported optimally to produce the outcomes that the state needs. CTE is fragmented, lacks sufficient stable funding, and is not well integrated into the core of the college system. The extensive program offerings are not well targeted to labor market needs, resulting in an inefficient use of resources. The lack of common standards across similar programs devalues the credentials awarded by the system because employers are uncertain of the knowledge and skills possessed by students who attain the credentials. Students are given too little encouragement and guidance to find their way into and through CTE programs.
Overcoming these obstacles will be key in preparing California for the coming challenges of labor shortages and lack of an educated workforce.
To learn more about the reports check out the Sacramento State publications page or plan to attend the briefing at the capitol in Sacramento, info can be found right here.
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