Expanding Career and Technical Education and Educator Opportunities in 2025
Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a significant role in Minnesota's educational landscape, providing students with valuable skills and pathways to future careers. The Minnesota State College and University System supports CTE programs across various career fields, including Agriculture, Energy, Engineering, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Transportation, and, of course, Information Technology.
So, how does a CTE program work? It integrates core academic knowledge with technical skill development. For example, students watch how to program a drone (knowledge) and then complete a hands-on coding application that allows them to fly a drone (technical skills). It’s taking what you know and applying it in an actual situation. CTE programs are highly successful because of the application of learning.
The Minnesota Department of Education (https://education.mn.gov/mde/dse/cte/) states that CTE has been shown to have a positive outcome for MN high school students, including:
The high school graduation rate for Minnesota CTE concentrators (enrolled in two or more CTE courses) is 92%.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Minnesota high school CTE concentrators enroll in postsecondary education for further career development.
In Minnesota, 86% of postsecondary students completing a CTE program were placed in employment by the end of the second quarter following program completion
The IT Center of Excellence has helped increase CTE opportunities for students and the workforce in 2024. These initiatives have helped nearly 20 high school instructors gain licensure to teach high school technology content and provided over 800 students across the State with the opportunity to learn and gain technology skills.
2024 Events and Impact:
1. CTE Instructor Training Program in Communication Technology
Partnered with Lakes Country Service Cooperative (lcsc.org) to provide funding and resources for 17 high school instructors who had been laid off, underutilized, or needed technology licensure to continue their careers.
2. We partnered with Minnesota Technology Network (MTN) to provide hands-on events that teach participants to tackle engineering problems using AI (Artificial Intelligence). This is one of the most popular programs, with over 800 students attending nine events in 2024.
3. Industry Certification Training Program
Google Certifications - 76 completed; Cisco Cyber Security Learn a Thon – 79 completed; Becoming Cyber Savvy – 55 completed with 39 more enrolled in advanced learning.
4. CADSCOM
Colloquium for Data Analytics – Partnered with the Minnesota Association for Computing Machinery to bring over 100 people together to hear and present on Data Research and Advancements
5. Collegiate Cyber Defense Challenge
Over 100 students from 8 colleges and universities participated in the annual Cyber Competition, which provides students with hands-on experience applying cyber techniques and best practices.
And the work continues!
We are excited to share our 2025 vision.
The IT Center of Excellence will continue to collaborate with our industry partners to create new offerings in:
· Cyber training programs,
· Broadband Installer and Digital Technology Support program
· Non-Technical CTE Skill Development (Softskill training)
· Revamp our IT Exploration High School Curriculum
· Continued use of our micro-credentials with Google, Cisco, & MTN.