Implementation Support
Implementation Support
Advance CTE is committed to robust support for the CTE community during all stages of implementing the National Career Clusters® Framework.
The Opportunity
The modernization of the National Career Clusters Framework is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the design and delivery of Career Technical Education (CTE) systems and programs. The modernized Framework strives to remove silos across industry and education, state and local levels, and Career Clusters that are keeping learners from being fully prepared for the ever-evolving world of work. When fully implemented, the innovations of the modernized Framework will transform systems, pathways, and lives to excel in the work of the future.
Our Commitment
Advance CTE is committed to providing timely, innovation-centered, and comprehensive support as states and national partners embark on a multiyear process to consider how to adopt and implement the modernized Framework across CTE and beyond.
- State-Driven: States have the authority and time to decide what and how much of the Framework to adopt, and when.
- Ongoing: Full implementation of the Framework will take time. Many states are pursuing initial language and alignment updates, with additional innovations on flexible program design, system alignment, and more to develop in the years to come.
- Comprehensive Partnership and Support: Advance CTE has a robust array of implementation supports, resources and spaces available to members and the larger CTE community to help ideate and realize implementation of the Framework.
To date, Advance CTE has facilitated a member community of practice with over 150 participants, as well as a cohort of eight states receiving intensive technical assistance for early adoption and implementation of the modernized Framework. Multiple states have received customized technical assistance for specific implementation projects.
Need support with Career Clusters implementation? Request information about our customized technical assistance.
Areas of Focus
Our primary areas of focus for implementation and innovation are:
- Flexible, Personalized Program Design
- Updated Data System Design, Collection, & Analysis
- Flexible Educator Credentialing and Meaningful Learner Credentials of Value
- Industry and Labor Market Information Alignment
- System and Language Alignment across secondary, postsecondary, and workforce ecosystems
- Connected Career Advising & Exploration
SPOTLIGHT
Flexible Pathways through the Career Clusters Framework
Advance CTE has developed a spectrum of approaches for flexible CTE program and career pathways design to achieve experiences that are personalized to the interests and needs of each learner.
Read our brief for sample programs of study and first steps for implementation!
Our Resources
Ready to implement the Framework in your state, district or classroom? Here are some steps to get started:
- Read our starter resource for implementation, then our series with more in-depth recommendations for flexible pathways, educator credentialing, and more.
- Assess your current system against our recommendations, and identify priority areas for implementation and innovation.
- Contact your state CTE team for the latest information on updates to each State Framework and approved programs of study.
- Use the Framework in your school or institution! Purchase guidebooks, use our industry sector profiles, and explore one-pagers with project ideas.
- Check out our communication materials to help you share what the Framework can mean for you and your community.
Career Clusters
Click each Cluster for Cluster definitions and implementation resources.
