Report
- September 26, 2023
Career Clusters
Career Clusters
The National Career Clusters® Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality CTE programs through learning and comprehensive programs of study.
About the National Career Clusters Framework
The National Career Clusters Framework serves as an organizing tool for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, curriculum design and instruction. Currently, there are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing 79 Career Pathways to help learners navigate their way to greater success in college and career. The framework also functions as a useful guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and postsecondary systems and for creating individual student plans of study for a complete range of career options. As such, it helps learners discover their interests and their passions, and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college and career.
Advancing the National Career Clusters Framework
In December 2022, Advance CTE announced the relaunch of an initiative to modernize the National Career Clusters Framework. This work is led by two national partners and supported by a National Advisory Committee, Industry Advisory Groups and other avenues to receive input from all stakeholders involved in delivering and experiencing the Framework. A new Framework will be unveiled in late 2024. Visit the Advancing the Framework page for additional information and to sign up to receive initiative updates.
Additional Resources
Implementation Self-Assessment Rubrics
These rubrics are for state and local administrators to use as they assess the progress made on the implementation of the Career Clusters, focusing on critical components such as state plan/administrative support, professional development, partnerships, family and community support, teaching strategies and workplace learning.
Crosswalks
A collection of crosswalks to support the linkage or bridging of different coding systems with the 16 Career Clusters and Career Pathways to assist in reporting, research and other applications.
Related Resources
Communications
Video
This video provides a basic overview of CTE targeted to students and their families.
- May 20, 2019
Communications
A description of the message triangle - or core motivators - that should be at the center of any…
- March 20, 2023
