Celebrating National CTE Month with Groundbreaking Discussions
This February, as we celebrated National CTE Month, net.America Corporation hosted our transformative Pathways Forward: CTE Discussion Series across three states—New Jersey, Maryland, and North Carolina. These dynamic forums brought together visionaries from education, industry, and workforce development to explore how Career & Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeships are revolutionizing our approach to work and learning.
Did you know? More than 11 million secondary and postsecondary learners are currently engaged in CTE programs nationwide, preparing them for high-skill, high-wage careers in critical industries.
Each location offered unique perspectives on addressing workforce challenges through innovative solutions—from pioneering teacher apprenticeships in North Carolina to cutting-edge technology partnerships in Maryland and comprehensive technical workforce development in New Jersey.
Key Insights from Our Tri-State Series
New Jersey: Building Stronger Career Pathways
Focus: Workforce-aligned CTE programs, strategic industry engagement, and apprenticeships as transformative career pathways.
Breakthrough Findings:
- Historic Investment: New Jersey has committed nearly $100 million to apprenticeship and work-based learning grants since 2018, catalyzing 850 new registered programs and supporting 9,500 active apprentices across 1,460 statewide programs.
- Growth Trajectory: Apprenticeships are creating accessible pathways into skilled trades, healthcare, and technology careers—with software development projected to grow by 17% nationally by 2033.
- Exposure Matters: Events like NJ’s Tech Expo dramatically increase student engagement and foster meaningful industry collaboration.
- Curriculum Evolution: CTE schools are rapidly adapting their programs to meet urgent demand in high-tech, high-growth industries.
“Apprenticeships aren’t just an alternative to college—they’re a powerful career accelerator that combines real-world experience with targeted learning.”
Maryland: Industry, Innovation & Workforce Readiness
Focus: The critical intersection of CTE, apprenticeships, and industry-driven workforce strategies.
Breakthrough Findings:
- Urgent Skills Gap: Maryland faced over 30,000 cybersecurity job openings in 2023, with only enough qualified workers to fill three-quarters of these positions.
- National Challenge: Across America, employers posted 457,433 cybersecurity openings last year, with only 83 qualified workers available for every 100 jobs.
- Alignment Imperative: Collaboration between industry and education is proving essential to synchronizing curricula with employer expectations and technological advancement.
- Ecosystem Approach: Mentorship and hands-on learning environments that connect education, nonprofits, and government agencies significantly boost student success rates.
“Technology is reshaping CTE, and strategic partnerships between educators, employers, and government agencies are key to preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow.”
North Carolina: Addressing the Teacher Shortage Through Innovation
Focus: Registered Teacher Apprenticeships as a sustainable solution to critical recruitment and retention challenges.
Breakthrough Findings:
- Persistent Challenge: Teacher turnover reached 11.5% in 2022-23 and, while improving to 9.88% in 2023-24, remains above the seven-year average and continues to strain classroom resources.
- Innovative Solution: NC A&T’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program offers a paid, structured pathway into teaching—removing financial and systemic barriers that have historically limited diversity in education.
- Holistic Approach: These apprenticeships blend on-the-job training, mentorship, and salary support, helping retain more educators in the profession.
- Cross-Sector Application: Industry partnerships and workforce innovation extend well beyond tech and trades—CTE approaches are helping solve critical labor shortages in education, healthcare, and other essential sectors.
“By earning a salary while gaining hands-on experience, teacher apprentices don’t have to choose between financial stability and their passion for education—making teaching accessible to talented individuals from all backgrounds.”
The Future of Work Starts with CTE & Apprenticeships
Across all three discussions, one theme emerged with striking clarity: CTE and apprenticeships are essential to building a future-ready workforce capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges.
- Explosive Growth: Nationwide, there are approximately 680,000 active registered apprentices—a remarkable 114% increase since 2014—demonstrating the surging popularity of earn-and-learn career pathways.
- Student Benefits: CTE and apprenticeships provide hands-on experience, technical skills, and mentorship that effectively bridge the gap between education and employment.
- Employer Advantages: These programs deliver a pipeline of job-ready talent—critical in fast-moving sectors like technology, education, and skilled trades where traditional hiring approaches often fall short.
- Educational Impact: They ensure students graduate not just career-ready but adaptable to evolving industry demands in an increasingly dynamic job market.
What’s Next? Join the Movement
As we move forward, net.America Corporation remains committed to championing CTE, apprenticeships by incorporating AI, and workforce innovation at both regional and national levels. Our Pathways Forward initiative is just the beginning of a sustained effort to transform career preparation across America.
Get Involved:
- Educators: Explore integrating work-based learning into your curriculum
- Employers: Partner with local CTE programs to develop your future workforce
- Students: Discover how CTE and apprenticeships can launch your career without debt
- Policymakers: Support legislation that strengthens CTE funding and apprenticeship expansion
Thank you to all our speakers, attendees, and partners for making the Pathways Forward: CTE Discussion Series a tremendous success! Let’s continue building stronger career pathways—together.
Sources & References
- U.S. Department of Labor – Registered Apprenticeship Statistics FY 2024
- Advance CTE – “CTE Month 2025” Blog
- NJ Department of Labor Press Release (April 30, 2025)
- Maryland Department of Labor Funding Announcement (Aug 2024)
- NC Department of Public Instruction Teacher Attrition Report (Apr 2, 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Software Developers Occupational Outlook (Apr 2025)
- CyberSeek National Supply/Demand Heat Map (Accessed May 2025)