Forbes Calls for Greater Emphasis on CTE

Forbes Opinion Piece Calls for Greater Emphasis on CTE Orginally Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:56 AM PDT On Tuesday, September 2, Forbes published an opinion article by Nicholas Wyman titled “Why We Desperately Need To Bring Back Vocational Training In Schools.” The piece outlined the shifting attitudes toward CTE (or vocational education) since the 1950’s, and emphasized the reinvigoration that CTE has experienced that has made it a key component to every student’s education. Wyman notes the need for a diverse workforce that is equipped with a variety of backgrounds and skills – noting that many students’ interest would be better served by hands-on learning opportunities that are frequently featured in CTE. Furthermore, he points to the challenges faced by students who have obtained education that has led to un- and underemployment among many young professionals today. Wyman’s point regarding the value of and need for increased support for CTE is correct; students who enroll in CTE programs are building the skills they will need for their future careers and preparing themselves for success in whatever field they so choose. By helping students to incorporate CTE into their educational road map and better informing them of the options available to them, we can prepare them for college and career success. To learn more about how you can work with the media to strengthen awareness of CTE (including writing your own op ed), click here to visit the Advocacy Toolkit.