Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the future workforce. Through its Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program, CCPS offers more than 130 career pathways within the 17 Georgia Career Clusters. These pathways allow students to explore their interests and aptitudes, and prepare them for further education or immediate employment in high-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations.
What is CTAE and how does it work?
CTAE is a student-centered program that fosters career inspiration in PreK-2, career awareness in elementary school, career visualization in middle school and career preparation in high school. CTAE integrates academic and technical skills, and provides students with hands-on learning opportunities, industry certifications, dual enrollment options, work-based learning experiences, and career technical student organizations (CTSOs).
CTAE is aligned with the Georgia Department of Education’s initiative of Educating Georgia’s Future Workforce, which leverages partnerships with industry and higher education to ensure students have the skills they need to thrive in the global marketplace. CTAE also supports the CCPS vision of creating a culture of high performance, and the mission of empowering students to achieve academic and personal goals.
What are the benefits of CTAE for students and the community?
CTAE provides students with many benefits, such as:
- Enhancing their academic performance by applying what they learn in core subjects to real-world scenarios and projects.
- Developing their employability skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, time management, leadership, creativity, and work ethics.
- Exploring their career interests and passions and discovering new opportunities and possibilities for their future.
- Earning industry-recognized credentials that validate their knowledge and abilities, and give them an edge in the job market.
- Gaining college credit while still in high school, and saving time and money on their post-secondary education.
- Connecting with mentors and role models from the community, business and industry, who can guide them and inspire them to achieve their goals.
- Making a positive impact on their society and environment by applying their skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges and needs.
CTAE also benefits the community by:
- Creating a pipeline of talent for the local and regional workforce, and meeting the demands of the current and emerging industries.
- Strengthening the economy by increasing the earning potential and productivity of the workforce, and attracting new businesses and investments.
- Enhancing the quality of life by improving the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
What are some examples of CTAE pathways and success stories?
CCPS offers a wide range of CTAE pathways for students to choose from, based on their interests and goals. Some examples are:
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: This cluster prepares students for careers in the production, processing, marketing, distribution, and management of agricultural commodities and natural resources. Some pathways include Animal Science, Plant Science, Environmental Science, and Veterinary Science.
- Architecture and Construction: This cluster prepares students for careers in designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. Some pathways include Architectural Drawing and Design, Construction, Interior Design, and Plumbing.
- Arts, A/V Technology and Communications: This cluster prepares students for careers in designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content. Some pathways include Audio-Video Technology and Film, Graphic Design, Journalism, and Music.
- Business Management and Administration: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Some pathways include Administrative and Information Support, Business and Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Services.
- Education and Training: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing education and training services, and related learning support services. Some pathways include Early Childhood Care and Education, Teaching as a Profession, and JROTC.
- Energy: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing traditional and alternative energy services. Some pathways include Energy and Power, and Engineering and Technology.
- Finance: This cluster prepares students for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management. Some pathways include Accounting, Banking and Investing, and Insurance.
- Government and Public Administration: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning and performing government functions at the local, state, and federal levels. Some pathways include Law and Justice, National Security, and Public Management and Administration.
- Health Science: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development. Some pathways include Allied Health and Medicine, Biotechnology Research and Development, Emergency Medical Responder, and Pharmacy.
- Hospitality and Tourism: This cluster prepares students for careers in the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants, lodging, attractions, and travel-related services. Some pathways include Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, and Travel Marketing and Lodging Management.
- Human Services: This cluster prepares students for careers in family and community services, personal care, and consumer services. Some pathways include Cosmetology, Early Childhood Care and Education, Family and Community Services, and Personal Care Services.
- Information Technology: This cluster prepares students for careers in designing, developing, supporting, and managing hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. Some pathways include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Game Design, and Web and Digital Design.
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services, and homeland security. Some pathways include Fire and Emergency Services, Forensic Science, Law and Justice, and Security and Protective Services.
- Manufacturing: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products. Some pathways include Manufacturing Operations, Metals Technology, and Welding and Joining Technology.
- Marketing: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives. Some pathways include Fashion Marketing, Marketing and Management, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing.
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services. Some pathways include Biomedical Science, Engineering and Technology, and Mathematics.
- Transportation, Distribution and Logistics: This cluster prepares students for careers in planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail, and water. Some pathways include Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Aviation, Collision Repair, and Logistics and Distribution.
Some success stories of CCPS students who have benefited from CTAE pathways are:
- Jasmine Williams, a senior at Forest Park High School, who completed the Veterinary Science pathway and earned her Veterinary Assistant certification. She also participated in the Work-Based Learning program and interned at a local veterinary clinic. She plans to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine at Tuskegee University.
- Kevin Nguyen, a junior at Jonesboro High School, who completed the Computer Science pathway and earned his Microsoft Technology Associate certification. He also participated in the Cybersecurity CTSO and competed in several state and national events. He plans to pursue a degree in computer engineering at Georgia Tech.
- Maria Hernandez, a senior at Lovejoy High School, who completed the Culinary Arts pathway and earned her ServSafe certification. She also participated in the Hospitality and Tourism CTSO and won several awards for her culinary skills. She plans to pursue a degree in hospitality management at Georgia State University.
- Michael Johnson, a senior at Mundy’s Mill High School, who completed the Engineering and Technology pathway and earned his Autodesk Inventor certification. He also participated in the STEM CTSO and worked on several projects involving robotics, drones, and 3D printing. He plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Kennesaw State University.
How can parents and guardians support their child’s CTAE experiences?
Parents and guardians can play a vital role in supporting their child’s CTAE experiences by:
- Learning about CTAE career clusters and pathways and guiding their child’s education and future career to align with their interests and aptitudes.
- Reinforcing the importance of employability skills taught in CTAE courses, and essential to success in the workforce.
- Encouraging their child to participate in CTSOs and Work-Based Learning programs that provide them with leadership, networking, and career exploration opportunities.
- Connecting with CTAE teachers, counselors, and coordinators to stay informed about the CTAE program and the resources available for their child.
- Volunteering as mentors, guest speakers, or advisory board members to share their expertise and experience with CTAE students and staff.
CTAE is a valuable program that prepares students for college and career readiness, and empowers them to achieve academic and personal goals. CCPS is proud to offer a variety of CTAE pathways for students to explore and pursue their passions and potentials.
