CTE Program Design
- CTE course content and sequencing
- State-approved and local CTE programs of study
- Alignment across secondary, and postsecondary, and workforce systems
About the National Career Clusters Framework
About the National Career Clusters® Framework
The Framework provides structural alignment and a common language to bridge education and work, empowering each learner to explore, decide and prepare for dynamic and evolving careers.
Overview
The National Career Clusters® Framework serves as a guiding organizational structure for Career Technical Education (CTE) leaders and partners to create inclusive, industry-responsive, and learner-centered CTE programs and experiences.
The Framework was first established in 2002 through a collaborative effort of the federal government and states, facilitated by Advance CTE. Since that time, Advance CTE, on behalf of the states, has continued to serve as its steward. The original Framework design was used in some form in all 50 states and multiple territories, and it was used around the world to inform career development tools and platforms. In 2022, Advance CTE launched the multiyear Advancing the Framework initiative to modernize the Framework.
Uses of the Framework
The Framework provides a consistent architecture that can be used by education and industry to support:
Industry Alignment and Collaboration
- Labor Market Information connection to CTE program design
- Priorities for work-based learning experiences based on Framework content
- Common terminology across CTE programs and communications for local advisory boards and postings for jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and other experiences
Career Exploration and Advising
- Content for career interest and aptitude surveys
- Organizing structure for career exposure and exploration activities
- Evaluation tool for work-based learning content and curricular alignment
Administration and Staffing
- CTE educator credentialing guidelines
- Organizing structure for Cluster-based staff positions
- Alignment with Career Technical Student Organizations
Objectives of the Modernized Framework
The modernized Framework:
- reflects the truly interdisciplinary nature of work and strives to remove silos within and across Career Clusters,
- updates language and groupings to better bridge industry’s organization of work with education, and
- includes modern sectors, skills, and approaches from the entire world of work, while providing flexibility for the future and the needs of each state.
Career Clusters
Click each Cluster for Cluster definitions and implementation resources.
Learn more about the information sources that guided key decisions for the design of the National Career Clusters® Framework.
