About Career Clusters
WHAT ARE CAREER CLUSTERS?
Career Clusters are broad occupational groupings of specific industry based
jobs. The sixteen Career Clusters provide an organizing tool or framework
for schools, colleges, small learning communities, academies, magnet schools,
Tech Prep sites and HSTW sites.
Career Clusters provide a way for schools to organize instruction and student
experiences around sixteen broad categories that encompass virtually all
occupations from entry through professional levels.
Each Cluster (broad occupational grouping) is divided into anywhere from two to
seven pathways. Sample occupations are shown for each pathway. A
visual representation is shown in the model
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
About 15 years ago, the U.S. Dept. of Education divided the world of work
into 16 groupings of occupations called Career Clusters. These groupings
were based on common knowledge and skills required for success in a Career
Cluster. The U.S. Dept. of Energy provided seed money to begin the
development of resources related to each of these Clusters. When the seed
money went away, the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical
Education consortium took over the funding and oversight of this Career Clusters
Initiative and calls it the States' Career Clusters Initiative. The State
Directors represent Career Technical Education in all states and territories.
CAREER CLUSTERS VISION:
Sharing the Career Clusters Vision: Why, What and
How"
Download an eight page brochure that answers these questions:
Oklahoma's Career and Technology Education Career Clusters Design White Paper
CAREER CLUSTERS KEY MESSAGES:
Career Clusters connect:
- today’s preparation to tomorrow’s careers.
- academic, technical and employability skills.
- educational systems.
Career Clusters connect today’s preparation to tomorrow’s careers.
- Learners are better prepared for career success when they can relate their educational experiences to their future goals and aspirations.
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Today’s jobs take a different type of training than in the past; therefore, a different type of instruction is needed.
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Career Clusters keep instruction relevant.
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Career Clusters provide options for the emerging workforce.
Career Clusters connect academic, technical and employability skills.
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Career Clusters provide the instructional framework for CTE to offer industry-focused, student-centered, and performance-driven learning.
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Career Clusters provide transferable skills for today’s workers.
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Career Clusters prepare students to compete for high-demand, high-wage, and high-skill jobs.
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Career Clusters provide a better-qualified workforce for business and industry. Career Clusters provide courses that are aligned to industry credentials.
Career Clusters connect educational systems.
- Career Clusters provide a conceptual structure to expand educational and career opportunities for learners.
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Career Clusters provide continuous learning opportunities to help learners advance in their careers.
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Career Clusters create an easier transition to postsecondary education.
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Career Clusters support uniform curriculum alignment across education systems.