The Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Pennsylvania

Statistics on children, youth and families in Pennsylvania from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

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Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

Change Indicator

Career & Technical Education - Number of Students in Pennsylvania

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Why This Indicator Matters

Career and Technical Education (CTE) refers to educational programs that combine academic instruction with hands-on technical training, preparing students for high-demand careers across a variety of industries.[1] Traditionally, vocational training has focused heavily on building skills related to trade jobs that don’t require college degrees, such as child care, welding, cosmetology, or plumbing.[2] In more recent years, however, CTE has evolved in the United States to include professions in health science, business, IT, STEM, government, law, agriculture, human services, education, and the arts.[3] National trends indicate a growing emphasis on aligning CTE programs with industry needs, fostering public-private partnerships, and integrating technology to enhance learning experiences.[4] In Pennsylvania, CTE enrollment has risen, with over 68,000 students participating across 80 career and technical centers during the 2021-22 academic year.[5] Increases in CTE enrollment suggest that students and families increasingly see CTE as a viable path to stable, well-paying careers in high-demand fields. For policymakers, rising CTE enrollment signals a need for sustained investment and development of CTE programs to bridge skills gaps and better address workforce shortages.[6]

[1] Department of Defense Education Activity. (2024). Career Technical Education. https://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/career-technical-education

[2] Gewertz, C. (2018). What Is Career and Technical Education, Anyway? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-career-and-technical-education-anyway/2018/07

[3] iCEV. (2023). What is Career & Technical Education (CTE). https://www.icevonline.com/blog/career-technical-education-cte

[4] Philosophos, M. (2023). Why Career and Technical Education is the Future of Learning. Savvas Learning Company. https://www.savvas.com/resource-center/blogs-and-podcasts/college-and-career-readiness/intro-to-cte/why-career-and-technical-education-is-the-future-of-learning

[5] Scicchitano, R. (2023). Pennsylvania to Bolster CTE Programs Amid Rising Demand. Government Technology. https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/pennsylvania-to-bolster-cte-programs-amid-rising-demand

[6] Backman, B. (2023). From Classroom to Jobsite: How CTE Programs Combat The Labor Shortage. Boulter Industrial. https://www.boulterindustrial.com/blog/addressing-the-labor-shortage#:~:text=By%20fostering%20partnerships%20between%20students,to%20bridge%20their%20labor%20gaps.

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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The number of students funded and enrolled in career and technical education.

Data Source

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children’s analysis of data provided by Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career & Technical Education

Notes

County data includes any school district with boundaries inside the county.

Last Updated

January 2025