| Title: |
Flexible Career Pathways through the National Career Clusters® Framework |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Haley Wing; Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work |
| Source: |
Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work. 2025. |
| Availability: |
Advance CTE: State Leaders connecting Learning to Work. 8484 Georgia Avenue Suite 320, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 301-588-9630; Fax: 301-576-7115; Web site: https://careertech.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
20 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Career and Technical Education; Occupational Clusters; Educational Policy; State Policy; Career Pathways; Career Readiness; Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Alignment (Education); Interdisciplinary Approach; Credentials |
| Abstract: |
The modernized National Career Clusters® Framework acts as a tool through which states and local institutions can implement flexible programs of study that align with industry needs. It can also create personalized career pathways that help learners understand their potential impact within career fields. By emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and contextualized skill development, the Framework reflects the evolving world of work, in which industries increasingly demand adaptable, cross-sector competencies. This brief articulates the possibilities and innovations of using the modernized Framework to increase flexibility in CTE program and career pathway design that encourages customization with the primary driver of industry demand. When implemented, learners should be able to tailor their career pathways to align with their unique interests and labor market demands. The resource shares: (1) a new spectrum of approach to flexible programs of study; (2) optimal state for this policy area; (3) promising state practices; (4) key questions for consideration; and (5) recommendations. This resource is part of a collection of briefs that provide recommendations, models, and promising practices to maximize the implementation of the Framework. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED677911 |
| Database: |
ERIC |