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Industry Sectors & Pathways
Industry Sectors & Pathways
CCTE stands for College, Career, and Technical Education. In San Diego Unified, CCTE gives students hands-on learning experiences through career-focused programs that prepare them for both college and future jobs.
These programs are organized into Industry Sectors, such as Arts and Media, Health Science, Engineering, and many others. Each sector represents a broad area of careers.
Within each sector, there are Pathways, which are a series of high school courses that help students build specific skills. For example:
In the Health Science sector, a pathway might prepare students for careers in medicine or nursing.
In Arts, Media, and Entertainment, a pathway could include courses in film, graphic design, or digital media.
In Engineering and Architecture, students might study robotics, computer programming, or design.
Students can explore their interests, earn industry-recognized certifications, build a portfolio of work, and even earn free college credit or take part in work-based learning.
CCTE pathways help students connect what they are learning in school to real-world careers and college opportunities. These programs support student success both in high school and after graduation.
In California, CTE Industry Sectors are selected and organized by the California Department of Education based on areas of high demand, high skill, and high wage employment. The state has identified 15 industry sectors that reflect the current and emerging needs of the workforce. These sectors are aligned with labor market data and workforce projections to ensure students are prepared for careers that offer strong economic opportunities.
At the local level, school districts align their CTE programs with regional labor market demands, often referred to as Regional Labor Market Information (LMI). This ensures that students gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industries that drive their communities. This alignment helps students make informed choices about their futures and supports economic development across California.
Many of these CTE pathways also connect directly to postsecondary programs at the college level. In San Diego Unified, the College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) office has aligned 31 separate CTE courses with articulated college credit opportunities. Through partnerships with the San Diego Community College District, students can begin earning community college credit while still in high school. In many cases, these credits apply toward postsecondary certificates and degrees, giving students a head start on their educational and career goals.
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