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CTE Month: Explore Careers, Build Skills, Shape Futures

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month—a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the vital role that career and technical education plays in preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. CTE programs help students discover their interests, develop practical skills, and explore diverse career pathways. Whether you're introducing students to skilled trades, highlighting the importance of technical skills in today's workforce, or connecting academic learning to the real world, this collection will inspire students to envision exciting futures and understand the many pathways available to them beyond high school.

Grades 6-12

Careers That Work

Celebrate CTE Month with Careers That Work! This collection offers real-world videos and guides for grades 6–12 that highlight high-demand paths in the trades and tech. It’s a perfect tool to help students explore future careers and vocational skills.

Grades 6-12

My Future

Discover a premier hub for CTE Month that offers tools for exploring career paths, college options, and military service. Its interactive guides help students in grades 6–12 align their interests with high-demand vocational and professional goals.

Grades K-12

Construction Jobs

Dive into construction careers with this video-rich collection. Perfect for CTE Month or any time, the videos offer a real look at trades like masonry and carpentry, highlighting the high-demand skills needed to build a successful future in these fields.

Grades 10-12

ASVAB Practice Test Online

Prepare for military and other career pathways with this comprehensive ASVAB practice site. It offers free, timed tests across all subjects, helping students identify strengths and vocational aptitudes essential for career planning and enlistment success.

Grades 6-12

Logistics Careers

Dive into logistics career resources, including videos about truck drivers, logistics consultants, and transportation industry professionals. Students explore supply chain careers through behind-the-scenes looks at this in-demand field.

Grades K-2

Sesame Street Career Exploration Games

Sesame Street career exploration games have young learners join Elmo, Abby, Grover, and Cookie Monster as they explore jobs like farming, cooking, and restaurant work through interactive play, building early career awareness and community understanding.

Grades 3-12

Electrician Collections

Spark an interest in the electrical trades with these career resources. This video collection provides students in grades 3–12 with an overview of the skills, safety, and training required for the high-demand job of professional electrician.

Grades 9-12

My Next Move

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this tool helps students explore more than 900 careers through keyword searches, industry browsing, or an interest profiler. You’ll find job descriptions, salary information, required skills, and more.

Grades 6-12

Skilled Trades Careers

Discover the power of the skilled trades during CTE Month. This video collection offers students in grades 6–12 an inside look at high-demand careers in plumbing, HVAC, and more, emphasizing the hands-on training and expertise required for success.

Grades 9-12

Construction Trades Occupations

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Construction and Extraction page details careers in skilled building trades—carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and more. It provides job descriptions, median wages, education requirements, and job outlook data.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Join us on Tuesday for our next free OK2Ask virtual workshop. We're also sharing a CTE-related blog post and an opportunity to apply to join our team as a part-time consultant. Read the details below!