The Future Is Bright: Career-Focused Learning for High School Students

Grayson Technical Education Program

From a young age, some students know what they want to pursue as a career, while others need time to figure out what they love. For either type of student, Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) offers personalized pathways for success.

CTAE prepares students for their next step after high school, whether it’s college, a career, an apprenticeship or the military. Throughout the state, CTAE offers students more than 145 career pathways within 17 career clusters. Along with the high-school experience, students develop real-world, workforce-ready skills.

CTAE in Georgia

Every school district in Georgia offers CTAE pathways for students. In the 2022-23 school year, the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) reported 703,476 students participated in CTAE. By developing industry skills, providing education and exploring careers, students prepare for the future.

“CTAE connects what students are learning in the classroom to life,” says Dustin Davis-Austin, the Director of CTAE at Fulton County Schools. “In a geometry class, they might wonder why are they learning this? But if you pair geometry with a construction class, they can answer why the learning is important for themselves.”

Fulton County Schools’ CTAE programs cover multiple career clusters, including agriculture, food and natural resources; architecture and construction; energy; and marketing.

Fulton County Schools’ The Promise Career Institute (PCI) is an alternate path to high school graduation, focused on the Accelerated Career Program. Students complete nine core academic courses, and the rest of their coursework is training in a career field.

“The Promise Career Institute is the first brick-and-mortar in Georgia solely focused on the Accelerated Career diploma,” says PCI Principal Yalanda Bell. “It’s not college or career; now, it’s college and career.”

The Promise Career Institute

Part of Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Grayson Technical Education Program at Grayson High School serves juniors and seniors. The facility offers 12 career pathway programs, including culinary arts, cybersecurity, graphic design and veterinary science.

“Grayson Technical Education Program pathways are designed to prepare students for the future by combining academic learning with hands-on, career-focused training,” says Leann Sims, Grayson Technical Education Program’s Assistant Principal. “Many instructors have industry experience that enhances our programs through immersive learning experiences. Our students don’t just study the concepts; they apply them through labs, projects and real-world simulations that mirror professional environments.”

Decatur Career Academy (DCA) at Decatur High School delivers technical education and training experiences to produce responsible and productive citizens. The DCA offers pathways related to in-demand career fields to prepare students for college and/or entry-level employment in a competitive market.

“That’s the goal for us — college and career readiness,” says Terra Smiley, the CTAE Director at DCA. “Our students enter the workforce or go into postsecondary learning following graduation. Students can get ahead in those fields by exercising those skills and building their networks. Here, our students have the opportunity to leave with credentials and portfolios.”

The Cobb Innovation & Technology Academy (CITA) provides students with hands-on learning experiences and career opportunities through district, postsecondary and industry partnerships. The courses are divided into maker industries, emerging technologies, and community and healthcare services.

CITA is open to students throughout the Cobb County School District. When Director Dr. Tiffany Barney visits middle schools to talk about CTAE, she explains to students that, “We want you to come and leave with a plan for your future. We help students find what’s for them or what’s not for them. We’ll help you figure out what is the right thing for you.”

After completing their pathway, students are eligible to take an assessment leading to an industry-recognized credential or certification. “Many pathways offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications — CPR, ServSafe, CompTIA certifications — which enhance students’ resumes,” Sims says. According to the GADOE, 450 programs are currently industry certified.

Decatur Career Academy

Learning Outside the Classroom

CTAE also takes students beyond the classroom with special opportunities. With work-based learning programs, students enter the workforce to learn in their respective fields, gain experience and create a network. In 2022-23, GADOE reports 27,594 students and more than 13,000 employers participated in work-based learning.

Partnerships between schools and employers provide financial assistance or equipment and supplies. Partners participate in mock interviews or visit as guest speakers. Partners also help students with work-based learning.

“At the end of their pathway, students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience. Employers  and partners will host our students for an entire year, and they’ll work in an architecture firm, a construction company, as sous chefs in the culinary community or as interns in schools and educational facilities,” Smiley says. “They put their skills into practice in a real-world situation with an industry mentor.”

Students also can attend college classes. The dual enrollment program provides funding for students enrolled in a participating public high school and postsecondary institution in Georgia. Dual enrollment can save students money, as funding pays for the first 30 semester hours of college credit.

At PCI, students graduate with a high school diploma and two technical college certificates. “All students are dual enrollment students and earn more than 30 college credits,” Bell says.

CTAE allows students to get ahead.

“Students are learning in real-time with industry standard software and equipment,” Smiley says. “Students are able to get industry-recognized certifications, which allows them to get entry-level positions at a higher pay. Our culinary arts students leave with ServSafe certification. A student interviewed for a job with McDonald’s and mentioned she was ServSafe certified. She was hired on the spot and able to get $2 more per hour.”

The Cobb Innovation & Technology Academy

Looking to the Future

Exploring CTAE pathways allows high schoolers to plan for their future.

“There is value in the  opportunity to explore interests in various career paths,” Sims says. “When students see a connection between their education and future careers, they are often more motivated to perform well in school.”

Finding a student’s passion may make him more interested in his education. In 2022-23, 97.75% of CTAE completers graduated from high school, which is 13 percentage points higher than the state average graduation rate, according to the GADOE.

CTAE benefits a student, no matter where her future will take her.

“Career-focused learning helps you plan for your future and be intentional,” Barney says. “CTAE classes help students understand their options for the future. Students are career-ready, regardless of the route they take.”

“We are debunking the myth that in order to be successful, you have to go to a four-year college,” Davis-Austin says. “Students can be successful with a different path. Students can be employed right out of high school, and in some cases, they’re able to make upwards of $100,000 a year.”

Within the pathways, soft skills development is included in the courses, which will help students no matter where they go after graduation.

“Our partners say employability skills are important,” Davis-Austin says. “They need workers who dress appropriately, who can manage their time, who can stay off of their phones. They can teach our students the work skills, so we need to work on those employability skills. Those skills are transferable. Once you learn dinner etiquette, you can use those skills when you’re out to dinner with your family and throughout your life.”

The importance of CTAE isn’t going to disappear.

“We have Microsoft and Georgia Power doing sessions at our school,” Bell says. “There are Fortune 500 companies highly invested in CTAE. These skill trades and high-tech sectors can’t wait four years of postsecondary for students to graduate, so programs are changing to meet those demands. Companies are willing to employ students once they graduate, and they may pay them and invest in their education. Students don’t have to choose college over career.”

These in-demand jobs will allow your child to be financially successful, even if the future is uncertain.

“Students and families are surprised about the amount of money they can make,” Barney says. “There is a narrative that you’re not going to be successful if you don’t go to college, so it surprises them what they could potentially make. Those trades will always be there. It is very intentional that all of our pathways line up with careers. We want our students to be in tomorrow’s workforce.”

CTAE partners with a student to build the best option for the student and her future.

“Success is not one-size-fits-all. It can be achieved through various paths whether it be college, technical training or entering the workforce,” Sims says. “CTAE assists students in finding a career path that most aligns with their skills, passions and goals.”