For Cale Hutchings, Career Technical Education (CTE) is both a professional priority and a personal mission. With more than 15 years of experience in a career grounded in CTE, Cale currently serves as Bureau Chief for Career & Technical Education at the Iowa Department of Education, where he embraces the opportunity to help shape the vision and direction of CTE across the state.
From the Classroom to State Leadership: A Passion for Expanding Opportunity Through CTE
Cale began his career in the CTE field teaching at both the secondary and postsecondary levels, first as an Industrial Technology instructor and later as an Automotive Technology instructor at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Working closely with learners as they explored their interests and built real-world skills, he gained a deep appreciation for the day-to-day realities educators face. It’s that experience that continues to fuel his commitment to ensuring every CTE program is relevant, engaging, and responsive to learners’ needs.
Cale also served as a CTE Program Consultant from 2019 to 2025, where he led implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and supported program quality across Iowa’s secondary and postsecondary systems. These experiences remain the foundation of his work and continue to inform how he approaches policy, partnerships, and program improvement.
Focusing on What Matters Most
Cale is focused on several priorities to advance high-quality CTE in Iowa:
- Expanding middle grades CTE and career-connected learning. Early exposure is key. By introducing students to career pathways in the middle grades, they are equipped to make more informed decisions about their futures and spark curiosity that carries into high school and beyond.
- Strengthening high-quality work-based learning (WBL) experiences. Authentic, hands-on learning is one of the most powerful ways to prepare learners for success. Ensuring that more students have access to meaningful WBL opportunities is essential.
- Increasing attainment of industry-recognized credentials. Credentials provide tangible proof of skills and readiness. They help learners transition confidently into the workforce or further education while meeting the needs of employers.
Across the state of Iowa, participation in Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) has surpassed 50,000 student members and continues to grow each year, reflecting the commitment to creating a vibrant culture of leadership, engagement, and a robust range of opportunities for learners.
Iowa’s WBL participation rate has increased from 10.28% in 2021 to 57.70% in 2025. This dramatic increase was due to policy, reporting, and program quality enhancements. That milestone represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all Iowa learners gain valuable, real-world experience before they graduate.
Racing Toward Excellence in CTE and Beyond
Outside of work, Cale enjoys pursuits that are just as hands-on as CTE itself. He restores and collects pinball machines- a hobby that blends creativity, engineering, and a bit of nostalgia. During the summer months, you can also find him at drag strips across the Midwest, embracing the thrill of racing. In and out of the office, Cale Hutchings will not be slowing down anytime soon—and his dedication to advancing CTE in Iowa is bound to keep him on the fast track to success.
Advance CTE is committed to supporting state CTE leaders through timely and tailored policy guidance, professional learning, and technical assistance. State CTE Directors are critical actors in developing, leading, and innovating state CTE systems across secondary, postsecondary, and workforce partners to ensure every learner can access and succeed in high-quality CTE experiences. Visit our State CTE Directors page to meet and connect with our members.
