The extent to which CTE programs correspond to labor market demands has important implications for both students and employers. Students want to be prepared for good careers, and employers seek skilled workers to fill jobs in high-demand areas. Recent high school and postsecondary graduates make an important contribution to a state’s ability to respond to economic growth needs.
This report from CNA Education draws on data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to identify high-growth, high-wage occupations in Tennessee and map them to associated CTE Career Clusters ®. The report is designed to help education and private industry CTE stakeholders determine whether the CTE Programs of Study that Tennessee high schools and postsecondary institutions offer align well with current and projected local labor market needs. The report finds that the CTE Career Clusters associated with the most projected job growth include Business Management and Administration; Health Science; Education and Training; Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics; and Advanced Manufacturing.
While this report draws exclusively on data from the state of Tennessee, the methodology and job growth projections may be useful for CTE leaders in other states. A companion report from CNA Education explores the CTE Equation in Florida.
