Preparing For The Future: How CTE Is Shaping Workforce Development
Preparing For The Future: How CTE Is Shaping Workforce Development
Feb 21, 2025
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Summary
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide students with real-world skills for high-demand, high-wage careers. Yet, 1 in 4 high schools lacks CTE offerings, limiting students' career opportunities. Employers highly value CTE-trained students, with 83% agreeing they improve business and 96% holding a favorable opinion of CTE programs. Esports serves as a powerful tool to enhance CTE pathways, boosting engagement and overlapping in fields like digital technology, media production, and design. These programs help students develop technical skills, gain industry certifications, and connect with future career opportunities. With funding options like Perkins V and state grants, schools can expand CTE programs to better prepare students for the evolving workforce.
Education can’t be a one-size-fits-all experience. Preparing kids for the real world aligned with their passion is the main goal for both families and schools. There are so many paths to take with CTE, and students have no problem finding their path that aligns with their passion while preparing them for the workforce because of the versatility of CTE pathways.
Yet, one in four high schools doesn’t offer CTE courses. This means 25% of schools are missing opportunities to introduce students to high-wage, high-demand careers.
How CTE Programs Help Close the Skills Gap in Today’s Workforce
As the workforce changes fast, many industries are having problems in finding skilled workers. CTE equips students with the skills necessary for high-demand, high-paying, and high-need jobs. Besides the technical skills, CTE helps students find their passion and interests and take control of their future. They get to have hands-on experience and start making connections and building a network with their fellow students, mentors, and educators early on.
CTE’s reputation is strong among employers. According to the employer research report by Advance CTE:
83% of employers agree hiring employees with CTE experience improves their business.
96% of employers hold a favorable opinion of CTE programs.
77% of employers reported hiring an employee because of their CTE experience.
CTE learners have more options for college success and completion.
In summary, CTE creates a direct path to the workforce.
*CTE Wheel taken from Advance CTE
CTE Pathways: Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Having more choice, control, and collaborative opportunities is linked with increased participation, fewer behavioral problems, and better academic outcomes in students. Video games, when incorporated into the curriculum, become a method of engaged instruction and learning that not only students love but has a multitude of benefits. Esports, in particular, connects to a vast network of industries. It improves academic performance, attendance, and interest in STEM while overlapping with multiple CTE pathways.
The Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Cluster combines creative roles in visual and performing arts, film, journalism, fashion, interior design, and creative technologies. This cluster focuses on creating, producing, and sharing artistic and design work across multiple platforms, aiming to entertain, inform, beautify, and inspire.
A comprehensive curriculum using esports as an engaging method of instruction touches on several sub-clusters, including:
Design and Digital Arts: Careers in this field focus on creating visually engaging digital content. This includes animation, graphic design, web design, game design, augmented and virtual reality, and user interfaces. These careers combine artistic talent with technology to produce interactive content, commercial designs, and promotional materials. E.g.: digital animation, graphic arts, fashion, and interior design.
Lighting and Sound Technology: This sub-cluster is critical for sound engineering and lighting design. These skills are used in film, music, performing arts, and immersive experiences. Professionals here craft moods, themes, and engaging atmospheres to elevate artistic projects. E.g.: Audio & Visual Technology, Lighting Design, and Sound Engineering.
Media Production Broadcasting: Students can explore careers in media production, broadcasting, and video production. This pathway also includes skills in filmmaking and journalism .E.g.: Broadcasting Technology, Filmmaking, Video Production, Journalism.
Performing Arts: Esports integrates performing arts with stage design and management, providing opportunities to explore creative and technical roles E.g.: Performing Arts, Stage Design & Management
Cross-Cutting Career Clusters
Cross-cutting career clusters bridge multiple industries by integrating skills and knowledge from various sectors. The Arts, Entertainment, & Design cluster intersects with Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Hospitality, Events, & Tourism by blending creativity with technical expertise. This includes designing products, event spaces, and immersive experiences, as well as enhancing branding and marketing, showcasing how artistic skills drive innovation across diverse industries.
These cross-cutting pathways include:
Advanced Manufacturing: Students learn to design and produce gaming peripherals, custom controllers, and esports hardware using 3D printing, robotics, and industrial design.
Construction& Engineering: Building esports arenas, broadcast studios, and gaming event spaces requires skills in architecture, structural design, and project management.
Hospitality, Events, & Tourism and Beyond: Students develop expertise in esports event planning, fan conventions, and gaming expos. These roles involve logistics, customer service, and marketing.
CTE Pathways: Digital Technology
Digital Technology is a cross-cutting career cluster. It includes standalone careers and specialized applications across industries. This pathway builds critical tech skills needed for future-ready careers and focuses on critical skills in information technology and cybersecurity, addressing the growing need for professionals who can safeguard digital infrastructures. Careers in this cluster include network administration, ethical hacking, cybersecurity analysis, and IT support.
Key Workforce Facts:
90% of future jobs will require digital skills.
Cyber attacks happen every 39 seconds worldwide, costing $18 million daily.
87% of people leave personal information exposed online
Almost one-third of Americans have been a victim of identity theft.
Students must learn cybersecurity and digital citizenship early. These skills are critical for safety, privacy, and workforce success.
A cybersecurity curriculum that uses esports as a vehicle for engagement will use real-world examples and scenarios from esports and gaming to engage students, teach digital skills through game-based learning and interactive tools, and ideally should be aligned to the ISC2® CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Certification so that students gain the knowledge and skills to sit for the ISC2 CC exam and start their careers. Mostly suitable for high school students, this helps students earn workforce credentials directly in high school.
Funds and Grants for CTE Programs
There are various funds and grants available for CTE. The main sources include Perkins V funding, State Secondary CTE Funding Models, and state-specific grants.
Perkins V Funding: Each year, $1.4 billion in state formula grants and over $30 million in competitive discretionary grants specified in the law for the improvement of career and technical education (CTE) programs.
State Secondary CTE Funding Models: States provide additional funding for high school CTE programs through various models to ensure students gain workforce-aligned skills.
Foundational Funding Model: Schools receive funding per student or CTE program.
Categorical Funding Model: CTE funding is separate from general education budgets.
Hybrid Funding Model: Combines elements of both categorical and foundational funding.
State-Specific CTE Grants: There are also several state-specific grants besides Perkins V funding and state secondary models listed above. For more information, please consult your state's Department of Education.
Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) - California: Supports the development and expansion of CTE programs for K-12 students.
Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program - Ohio: This program awards competitive grants to schools to establish or expand CTE programs, with a focus on careers listed in Ohio’s Top Jobs List.
ACTE Grants and Scholarships Resource Center: The Association for Career and Technical Education is a resource center for CTE professionals and students seeking financial support for career-based learning.
Workforce Development Through CTE
Increased student voice leads to increased agency, belonging, and competence in students and by exposing students to diverse fields, esports programs help students discover passions. 84% of families participating in CTE are satisfied with opportunities. With these pathways, educators and CTE coordinators can use esports to connect students with growing industries and equip them with the skills to succeed.
Gameplan’s curriculum is aligned with Arts, Entertainment, & Design CTE programs, ensuring students gain future-ready skills in high-need, high-wage careers. Esports serves as a relevant context to introduce these skills, while industry partnerships provide students with hands-on learning, certifications, and real-world experience in competitive fields.
Education can’t be a one-size-fits-all experience. Preparing kids for the real world aligned with their passion is the main goal for both families and schools. There are so many paths to take with CTE, and students have no problem finding their path that aligns with their passion while preparing them for the workforce because of the versatility of CTE pathways.
Yet, one in four high schools doesn’t offer CTE courses. This means 25% of schools are missing opportunities to introduce students to high-wage, high-demand careers.
How CTE Programs Help Close the Skills Gap in Today’s Workforce
As the workforce changes fast, many industries are having problems in finding skilled workers. CTE equips students with the skills necessary for high-demand, high-paying, and high-need jobs. Besides the technical skills, CTE helps students find their passion and interests and take control of their future. They get to have hands-on experience and start making connections and building a network with their fellow students, mentors, and educators early on.
CTE’s reputation is strong among employers. According to the employer research report by Advance CTE:
83% of employers agree hiring employees with CTE experience improves their business.
96% of employers hold a favorable opinion of CTE programs.
77% of employers reported hiring an employee because of their CTE experience.
CTE learners have more options for college success and completion.
In summary, CTE creates a direct path to the workforce.
*CTE Wheel taken from Advance CTE
CTE Pathways: Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Having more choice, control, and collaborative opportunities is linked with increased participation, fewer behavioral problems, and better academic outcomes in students. Video games, when incorporated into the curriculum, become a method of engaged instruction and learning that not only students love but has a multitude of benefits. Esports, in particular, connects to a vast network of industries. It improves academic performance, attendance, and interest in STEM while overlapping with multiple CTE pathways.
The Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Cluster combines creative roles in visual and performing arts, film, journalism, fashion, interior design, and creative technologies. This cluster focuses on creating, producing, and sharing artistic and design work across multiple platforms, aiming to entertain, inform, beautify, and inspire.
A comprehensive curriculum using esports as an engaging method of instruction touches on several sub-clusters, including:
Design and Digital Arts: Careers in this field focus on creating visually engaging digital content. This includes animation, graphic design, web design, game design, augmented and virtual reality, and user interfaces. These careers combine artistic talent with technology to produce interactive content, commercial designs, and promotional materials. E.g.: digital animation, graphic arts, fashion, and interior design.
Lighting and Sound Technology: This sub-cluster is critical for sound engineering and lighting design. These skills are used in film, music, performing arts, and immersive experiences. Professionals here craft moods, themes, and engaging atmospheres to elevate artistic projects. E.g.: Audio & Visual Technology, Lighting Design, and Sound Engineering.
Media Production Broadcasting: Students can explore careers in media production, broadcasting, and video production. This pathway also includes skills in filmmaking and journalism .E.g.: Broadcasting Technology, Filmmaking, Video Production, Journalism.
Performing Arts: Esports integrates performing arts with stage design and management, providing opportunities to explore creative and technical roles E.g.: Performing Arts, Stage Design & Management
Cross-Cutting Career Clusters
Cross-cutting career clusters bridge multiple industries by integrating skills and knowledge from various sectors. The Arts, Entertainment, & Design cluster intersects with Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Hospitality, Events, & Tourism by blending creativity with technical expertise. This includes designing products, event spaces, and immersive experiences, as well as enhancing branding and marketing, showcasing how artistic skills drive innovation across diverse industries.
These cross-cutting pathways include:
Advanced Manufacturing: Students learn to design and produce gaming peripherals, custom controllers, and esports hardware using 3D printing, robotics, and industrial design.
Construction& Engineering: Building esports arenas, broadcast studios, and gaming event spaces requires skills in architecture, structural design, and project management.
Hospitality, Events, & Tourism and Beyond: Students develop expertise in esports event planning, fan conventions, and gaming expos. These roles involve logistics, customer service, and marketing.
CTE Pathways: Digital Technology
Digital Technology is a cross-cutting career cluster. It includes standalone careers and specialized applications across industries. This pathway builds critical tech skills needed for future-ready careers and focuses on critical skills in information technology and cybersecurity, addressing the growing need for professionals who can safeguard digital infrastructures. Careers in this cluster include network administration, ethical hacking, cybersecurity analysis, and IT support.
Key Workforce Facts:
90% of future jobs will require digital skills.
Cyber attacks happen every 39 seconds worldwide, costing $18 million daily.
87% of people leave personal information exposed online
Almost one-third of Americans have been a victim of identity theft.
Students must learn cybersecurity and digital citizenship early. These skills are critical for safety, privacy, and workforce success.
A cybersecurity curriculum that uses esports as a vehicle for engagement will use real-world examples and scenarios from esports and gaming to engage students, teach digital skills through game-based learning and interactive tools, and ideally should be aligned to the ISC2® CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Certification so that students gain the knowledge and skills to sit for the ISC2 CC exam and start their careers. Mostly suitable for high school students, this helps students earn workforce credentials directly in high school.
Funds and Grants for CTE Programs
There are various funds and grants available for CTE. The main sources include Perkins V funding, State Secondary CTE Funding Models, and state-specific grants.
Perkins V Funding: Each year, $1.4 billion in state formula grants and over $30 million in competitive discretionary grants specified in the law for the improvement of career and technical education (CTE) programs.
State Secondary CTE Funding Models: States provide additional funding for high school CTE programs through various models to ensure students gain workforce-aligned skills.
Foundational Funding Model: Schools receive funding per student or CTE program.
Categorical Funding Model: CTE funding is separate from general education budgets.
Hybrid Funding Model: Combines elements of both categorical and foundational funding.
State-Specific CTE Grants: There are also several state-specific grants besides Perkins V funding and state secondary models listed above. For more information, please consult your state's Department of Education.
Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) - California: Supports the development and expansion of CTE programs for K-12 students.
Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program - Ohio: This program awards competitive grants to schools to establish or expand CTE programs, with a focus on careers listed in Ohio’s Top Jobs List.
ACTE Grants and Scholarships Resource Center: The Association for Career and Technical Education is a resource center for CTE professionals and students seeking financial support for career-based learning.
Workforce Development Through CTE
Increased student voice leads to increased agency, belonging, and competence in students and by exposing students to diverse fields, esports programs help students discover passions. 84% of families participating in CTE are satisfied with opportunities. With these pathways, educators and CTE coordinators can use esports to connect students with growing industries and equip them with the skills to succeed.
Gameplan’s curriculum is aligned with Arts, Entertainment, & Design CTE programs, ensuring students gain future-ready skills in high-need, high-wage careers. Esports serves as a relevant context to introduce these skills, while industry partnerships provide students with hands-on learning, certifications, and real-world experience in competitive fields.
Written by
Alyson Vengoechea
Alyson Vengoechea is the Head of Content at Gameplan and an experienced educator with over a decade in curriculum development and teacher training. She holds an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Psychology from George Washington University. A Teach for America alumni, Alyson has led the creation of online learning programs for prestigious schools and served as a curriculum fellow for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She has also achieved outstanding student outcomes, including the highest FCAT growth in her district. Alyson is committed to equity, student voice, and meaningful learning.
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