Resource Overview
This resource provides state leaders and educators with concrete examples of how artificial intelligence (AI) is leveraged by the industries connected to the 14 Career Clusters that comprise the National Career Clusters® Framework. It also offers implementation strategies for states to consider when designing and delivering Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The Career Clusters Framework provides an organized, industry-informed approach for learners to explore and prepare for careers across the entire world of work. Therefore, the Framework serves as a natural tool to guide integration of AI literacy within and across careers not only in CTE programs, but all educational experiences.
Use Cases
This brief serves as a conversation starter to find areas of shared understanding on AI literacy, and clarify actions to align the content of programs and experiences with industry needs. This resource is useful for:
- State leaders to develop statewide guidance and standards for AI, use literacy, and skillbuilding in CTE, career pathways, and connected experience;
- CTE and core academic educators to incorporate AI literacy as a transferable skill across education;
- CTE educators across Career Clusters to develop AI skillbuilding experiences that apply across Career Clusters and Cluster Groupings;
- Education and industry partners to embed AI literacy as transferable and career-specific skills
Most of the research for this resource references work conducted as part of Advance CTE’s partnership with CTE Futures. This initiative that highlights promising strategies, shares evidence-based resources, and features the work of educators and workforce partners who are reimagining CTE for an AI-driven economy.
This resource, developed by Advance CTE, intends to support the adoption and implementation of the National Career Clusters® Framework as the central building block to achieve consistently designed and high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and career readiness experiences. First introduced in 2002, a version of the Framework is used by the majority of states with Advance CTE as its steward. A modernized Framework was unveiled in October 2024 after a 2-year development and validation process.
Visit the Career Clusters section of the Advance CTE website for additional information about the full Framework and all associated tools and resources.
