For decades, high school students have been taught that the path to success involves getting into a good college and earning at least a bachelor’s degree before entering the workforce. Today, with the high cost of four-year college programs (for an in-state student costs on average over $27K per year), college is not always a viable option. Fortunately, with a growing focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE) across the country, high school students are being given more options in terms of their post-graduation career paths.
In this article, we’ll be looking at what types of jobs are available after a CTE program, as well as some of the fastest growing and highest paying career options for students with a CTE certification.
What jobs can you get with a CTE certification?
With a focus on hands-on learning and career-specific skills, CTE pathways and courses are designed to prepare students for the workforce. Most importantly, many CTE pathways can equip students with the skills needed for jobs that are on the rise and highly in demand.
But what types of career options are available to high school graduates with a CTE certification under their belt? Within the CTE framework, there are 16 career clusters, including STEM, Manufacturing, Health Sciences, Architecture and Construction, Transportation, Finance, and Arts and Communication.
Students can choose which cluster they want to pursue based on several factors, including their interests, the CTE pathways available to them, the careers that are in demand, and their financial goals. For example, a student with an interest in science and who enjoys hands-on learning, might excel in a technical CTE course in the STEM or manufacturing clusters. For more inspiration, see our blog 12 Jobs to Target After High School CTE.
Which CTE fields are growing in the next 10 years?
When deciding what to do after high school, it’s important for students to familiarize themselves with trends affecting the job market so they can focus on acquiring in-demand skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a great resource, with lots of information about which jobs are experiencing growth and which are in decline.
The BLS has a comprehensive list of the fastest growing jobs (between 2023-2033) based on degree requirements. For students with a relevant CTE certification or training, there are many career paths on the rise, particularly in STEM, Health Sciences, and Manufacturing. Below are some of the fastest growing (and well paid) careers listed by the BLS:
Avionics Technicians
Aircraft and avionics technicians are responsible for installing, testing and repairing aircraft systems to ensure operational safety. This career, which is growing at a faster than average rate, typically requires a post-secondary qualification, including a certificate from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS). Through these Career and Technical Education certification programs, avionics technicians acquire a range of highly transferable skills.
Median annual pay in 2023: $75,000 to $99,999
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
This employment field is growing considerably and is also among the highest paid listed by the BLS. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers typically work in manufacturing or factory environments or in dedicated repair shops. This could be a suitable career path for students who are interested in building circuits, like with Sphero’s littleBits electronic building blocks. Various relevant CTE courses and certifications can prepare students to become an electrical installer and repairer. However on-the-job training, such as an apprenticeship, is also standard.
Median annual pay in 2023: $75,000 to $99,999
CNC Tool Programmers
CTE programs focused on manufacturing equipment and operations can lead to this in-demand career, which consists of setting up and operating equipment for forming metal and plastic parts. This job, which requires moderate on-the-job training in addition to a postsecondary degree, is expected to increase in demand from 1,000 to 5,000 jobs.
Median annual pay in 2023: $50,000 to $74,999
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
As demand for wind energy grows, so too does the need for wind turbine technicians. This career path, which is expected to grow by 60% in the next decade, could be a good fit for students who want to work in the field and—importantly—aren’t scared of heights. Students who demonstrate early interest in the topic of energy and skills in building functional structures using Sphero’s Blueprint Engineering Kit might like to learn more about wind turbines and how they are constructed and maintained.
Median annual pay in 2023: $50,000 to $74,999
Medical Records Specialists
This in-demand job is responsible for collecting, processing, and maintaining patient files in the medical industry. This diligent work could be a good fit for someone who is organized and detail oriented. While qualifications for this career vary, a certification is generally required in addition to a high school diploma. The most relevant CTE certification to obtain is Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS).
Median annual pay in 2023: $37,500 to $49,999
Thinking About the Future
The overall goal of CTE is to prepare students for the future of the workforce and give them career options without college being an absolute necessity. Even from a young age, students can start thinking about their future career path by finding things they are interested in, like engineering build kits or specific CTE courses. In the end, there are many rewarding Career and Technical Education jobs in growing fields.
About the Author
The Sphero Team
The Sphero Team is comprised of current and former educators, education content and curriculum writers, product designers, engineers, executive leadership, and other experts in their fields. Learn more about who we are and what we do at https://sphero.com/pages/about-us.
