Continuum

Work-based learning is often viewed as a continuum that includes the four stages of career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and career training. Students exposed to the four stages of career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and career training should be introduced to the world of work so they can succeed in the workplace as adults. A continuum of activities provides the most effective work-based learning experiences.

Career clusters help organize career and technical education programs and curricula and help create student study plans. Virginia has 17 clusters representing 83 career pathways. These clusters provide multiple career pathways ranging from entry-level to management (VDOE, 2022).

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

This career cluster is about using your love of science, the environment, or animals to prepare for careers that involve improving the quality and safety of food, cultivating and preserving our natural resources, and caring for animals.

Architecture & Construction

This career cluster is about using your skills in design, planning, and management to work in careers building and maintaining structures such as buildings, homes, bridges, or machinery.

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

This career cluster is about flexing your creativity, design, writing, performing, and multimedia skills.

Business Management & Administration

This career cluster use your organizational and leadership skills to prepare for careers where you plan, direct and evaluate operations to run a successful business. Various career opportunities are available, including hiring staff, analyzing data, and launching your own start-up.

Education and Training

This career cluster is about using your ability to motivate and your love of people to provide education and training that reaches individuals of all ages and across a range of industries.

Energy

This career cluster uses your interests in helping people and passion for your community to prepare for careers in the energy sector. Energy workers find a rewarding experience in keeping the energy flowing.

Finance

This career cluster uses your skills in math and statistics to prepare for well-paying careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.

Government and Public Administration

This career cluster is about using your passion for public service to prepare to work in a diverse array of jobs found in the local, state, and federal government.

Health Science

This career cluster is about using your love of science to help keep people healthy and treat those who are not. Work directly with people as a doctor or physical therapist or on your own by researching diseases and other important health information.

Hospitality & Tourism

This career cluster encompasses the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel-related services.

Human Services

This career cluster uses your communication and problem-solving skills to support families and individuals with services, from working in early childhood care to providing mental health services for older adults.

Information Technology

This career cluster uses your love of technology to learn how to design, develop and manage different types of software and hardware programs.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

This career cluster uses your love of people and passion for your community to prepare for careers in law, public safety, and security. Responsibilities may include protecting people from harm, crime, or natural disasters.

Manufacturing

This career cluster uses your planning and organization skills and your love of technology, engineering, and design to work in careers processing materials into products.

Marketing

This career cluster uses your creative skills for a career in advertising, public relations, sales, or planning. This Career Cluster will prepare you to work on projects such as promotional campaigns, event planning, and new sales techniques.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster uses your abilities in problem-solving. It prepares you for careers using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills.

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

This cluster uses your knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, and design to work in careers you plan, manage and move everything from people to company products through a range of transportation services.