This week, the Department of Education continued to work on student loan relief initiatives and workforce development opportunities. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor worked to promote Registered Apprenticeships. Congress is still on recess, but will return soon after the election, which is less than two weeks away! If you have yet to make a plan to vote, check out these resources on the blog to learn how to cast your ballot. 

• Department of Education Webinar on STEM in Rural Communities: The Department of Education is hosting a webinar, “Elevating STEM Education in Rural Communities” next Tuesday, 10/29. The event is hosted with the National Science Foundation, National FFA and other stakeholders. 

• Department of Education’s Power Your Future Challenge: The Department of Education has launched the Power Your Future Challenge — the second challenge in its annual CTE Momentum series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to CTE. Teams are invited to submit action plans that will advance the use of clean energy in local schools and communities. 

• Departments of Labor, Commerce, Education Renew Memorandum of Understanding With Switzerland to Expand Registered Apprenticeship in United States: The U.S. and Swiss governments have renewed a memorandum of understanding to expand and strengthen quality apprenticeships and pathways to good jobs, including Registered Apprenticeships, among Swiss companies and Swiss-invested companies in the United States. 

• Department of Labor Welcomes New Apprenticeship Ambassadors; Recognizes Organizations for Promoting, Expanding and Diversifying Registered Apprenticeship: The Department of Labor welcomed the latest cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors and recognized current ambassadors for meeting or exceeding their commitments to expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeships.  

• Department of Labor Announced $20 Million for Out-of-School Time Organizations to Increase Work-Based Learning: The Department of Labor announced up to $20 million available in grants for out-of-school time organizations to expand local work-based learning opportunities, job training and career pathways for underserved youth. 

This week, Advance CTE released its modernized Career Clusters® Framework, which is designed to serve as a bridge between education and work and a central building block for consistently designed and high-quality CTE programs, and accompanying resources to support implementation. The updated Framework consists of 14 Clusters and 72 Sub-Clusters to serve as the primary organizing structures for CTE programs:

No field has been eliminated from the Framework, though some have been shifted into other Career Clusters, combined with other industry sectors, or renamed. Major changes include the following:

• Energy has been merged with Natural Resources into a new, realigned Career Cluster.
• Information Technology has been expanded and renamed to Digital Technology.
• STEM has been eliminated and these dimensions spread across multiple Clusters.
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security and Government & Public Administration have been combined into Public Service & Safety.
• The Health Sciences & Human Services Career Clusters have been combined into the Healthcare & Human Services Cluster.
• Three Clusters – Digital Technology, Marketing & Sales, and Management & Entrepreneurship –are designated as both standalone Clusters and as Cross-cutting Clusters that provide skills and prepare learners for careers relevant across industries and sectors.
• The Clusters and Sub-Clusters include new technologies such as automation and robotics, clean and alternative energy, and artificial intelligence and unmanned vehicles.

It will be up to each state how it uses the new Framework. While most states used the previous iteration in some form, variations were made to reflect the needs of states and local communities. States may adopt the new Framework in whole or in part or decide to use it in different ways.

One policy implication of the new Framework is for federal reporting. The U.S. Department of Education will require states to align Perkins data with the modernized Framework starting with the 2025-26 academic year and submit data for the federal Perkins Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) starting in January 2027. This will not necessarily require any programmatic changes but rather cross-walking current programs to the new Clusters for reporting on student enrollment and performance.

To support implementation, Advance CTE has developed a suite of resources, including explainers, messaging tools, and a crosswalk listing each Career Cluster and Sub-Cluster with corresponding North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), Standard Occupational Classification System (SOC) and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. The organization will also be providing ongoing implementation support.

The modernization of the Framework has been a two-year process, incorporating feedback from more than 4,000 people across state and local secondary and postsecondary leaders, employers, national organizations including educator groups and career technical student organizations, CTE instructors, and other partners.

The general election is less than two weeks away, with early voting underway and absentee ballots already sent out in many states as November 5 approaches. Below are some tips and resources to help you create a voting plan and successfully cast your ballot. Remember, if you are not already registered to vote, there may still be time in your state! Many states offer some form of same-day registration, and others have deadlines that extend through the end of October.  

How Will You Cast Your Ballot? 

• Many states have an option to vote early or cast an absentee ballot, while some states even offer vote-by-mail programs in which all registered voters in a state will receive a ballot by mail. To learn what options you have at this point in the process, contact your local election office. 

• If you are planning to vote absentee, there are a few things you’ll need to consider. Some states require that ballots be sent in my mail, while others have drop-off boxes set up locally. Enclosed with your ballot, you should find clear instructions on where to deliver your ballot and how to ensure your vote is counted. Different states require ballots be returned at different times, so be sure to identify your state’s requirements. 

When and Where Can You Vote? 

• If you are planning to vote in person, you will need to locate your polling location and determine the best time to vote. These locations may vary based on which county you live in, and locations may be different for early voting. Many voting centers are open before and after the typical workday. Remember, if you are in line to vote when the polls are scheduled to close, you can still vote as long as you stay in line! 

What Do You Need to Bring? 

• You’ll need to make sure you have all of your materials required to vote, per your state’s voter identification laws. Some states require no identification, while others require a government issued ID like a driver’s license or voter registration card. Many states also make certain exceptions to their requirements, so it’s important to identify your state’s voter ID laws and be prepared at the polls.  

What’s on the Ballot? 

• This election will determine more than just the president – many state and local positions are up for election in addition to every single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and 34 seats in the U.S. Senate. There may also be other policy issues on your ballot through mechanisms like referendums and constitutional amendments. Learn what is on your ballot and do your research ahead of time to avoid any confusion or uncertainty in the voting booth. 

You play an important role in deciding who represents your community locally and federally. As the election approaches, use these resources to create a plan and ensure that your vote is counted!  

With a little over three weeks left in recess, Member of Congress continued to work in their districts and communities. Because they plan to work on appropriations when they get back to DC, this is a great opportunity to connect locally with your policymakers to advocate for greater CTE funding! Meanwhile, the Department of Education has been working on new and existing projects such as FAFSA implementation, and the Department of Labor continues to update resources on workforce development. Keep reading for more details! 

• Department of Education Launches CTE CHIPS Challenge with $1M Prize Pool: The Department of Education launched the CTE CHIPS Challenge, a $1 million multi-phase prize competition to expand student recruitment, training and placement strategies in semiconductor fabrication (fab) construction and advanced manufacturing careers aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS). Learn more on the CTE Policy Watch Blog.  

• Education and the Workforce Committee Questions Department of Education’s Push to Implement Changes to Perkins: House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chair Aaron Bean sent a letter to Secretary Cardona with concerns about proposed revisions to Perkins state plans and reporting processes that will place major burdens on state agencies, school districts and postsecondary institutions that implement CTE programs. ACTE has also been pushing back against these changes. 

• Agenda for the 2024 Lame Duck Session of Congress: Congress is not in session until after the November election, but when lawmakers return, they will be coming back to a long to-do list. The first thing on their list will likely be government funding. Read more about their agenda on the CTE Policy Watch Blog. 

• Department of Education Announces Successful First Round of FAFSA Testing: The Department of Education announced the launch of their second stage of testing for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The first round was completed successfully, and several updated resources were announced, including a Financial Aid Toolkit. 

• Department of Labor Releases Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource: The Department of Labor released an “AI Best Practices” roadmap to ensure emerging technologies enhance job quality and benefit workers.  

• Department of Labor Released Updated WIOA Resources: The Department of Labor shared updated resources from the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advantage of People with Disabilities, a WIOA policy development center.  

• Department of Labor Updates On-the-Job Training Tools: The Department of Labor updated their On-the-Job Training toolkit. They will host a webinar on October 28 to discuss these updates to the toolkit and best strategies for implementation.  

This week, the U.S. Department of Education launched the CTE CHIPS Challenge, a $1 million multi-phase prize competition to expand student recruitment, training and placement strategies in semiconductor fabrication (fab) construction and advanced manufacturing careers aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS). Learn how you can take advantage of this opportunity with the first CTE CHIPS Challenge informational webinar on October 29.

Through this Challenge, the Department invites educators to submit innovative action plans by December 20 to:

• Increase students’ opportunities to develop skills and experiences that better prepare them CHIPS-aligned careers;
• Expand student recruitment, training and placement strategies in these high-skill, high-wage in-demand careers; and
• Support teachers in building out CTE programs.

Semi-finalists and finalists will be eligible to receive targeted technical assistance, opportunities to learn from subject experts, access to peer networks, recognition on a national scale and a portion of the $1 million prize pool.

Join the CTE CHIPS Challenge Community and encourage others in your network to do the same. Learn more at CTECHIPSChallenge.com.

Congress is not in session until after the November election, but when lawmakers return, they will be coming back to a long to-do list.  

The first and most important item on the list is government funding. Funding is currently authorized through a continuing resolution (CR) that lasts until December 20, and appropriators are actively negotiating a fiscal year (FY) 2025 spending package. The results of the election may determine if another CR into 2025 is needed or if the process can be wrapped up before the 119th Congress is sworn in. Many in both parties, including House Appropriation Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), would prefer that final appropriations bills are wrapped up in December. 

Other pieces of legislation that are considered “must pass” are the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Farm Bill. The House passed their NDAA in June while the Senate has yet to bring a bill to the floor. Similar to the appropriations process, the leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services committees are negotiating a final package that will hopefully receive a vote in December. Not as much progress has been made on the Farm Bill, and some pieces of that bill have technically already expired. Lawmakers in both chambers have expressed concern over the lack of progress, and it is becoming more likely that Congress will need to pass an extension, similar to the extension that was passed in December 2023. Both the Farm Bill or extension and the NDAA could be targets for other, unrelated policies or programs to be attached as they move through Congress.  

In the Senate, the main focus for the chamber will be confirming appointments to the federal judiciary before a new presidential Administration succeeds the Biden Administration. That will not leave much time to take up legislation that is not considered “must pass.” Legislation that could fall victim to the tight schedule includes a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have been engaging with their House counterparts, Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) on negotiations around this bill. Even if these four leaders come to an agreement, there may not be enough floor time available in the Senate to pass a final package.  

As the lame duck session begins next month, ACTE will be sure to you in the loop as new developments

Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) recently released a report and data tool concerning credential shortages and high-wage, middle-skills occupations. The report concludes that many providers will need to more than double the number of credentials they award to avoid local shortages.

Specifically, CEW examined the production of workers with “middle-skills” credentials (certificates and associates degrees) across U.S. metro areas with over one million residents and compared the current production rates with the projected number of job openings for these workers by 2032. CEW defines high-wage, middle-skills occupations as ones where more than half of early-career, middle-skills workers earn more than $53,000 annually, in 2022 dollars. Some occupations that fall within this definition include power plant operators, nuclear technicians and database administrators. 

Some critical findings that CEW discusses in the report include: 

• The biggest mismatch between credentials and jobs will be in the high-paying, blue-collar sector. Annually, the country will face a shortage of more than 360,000 credentials for these occupations, including most major metros areas.  

• While some metro areas will produce far more middle-skills management credentials than necessary, the majority will face a moderate to severe shortage of locally produced workers with these credentials. 

• In most major metro areas, protective services will experience credential shortages in the high-earning, middle-skills category. 

• Several major metro areas are overproducing middle-skills credentials for high-paying STEM jobs, while some larger STEM hubs like Boston, New York and Washington, DC, will face shortages as will a number of rural areas.   

• The only occupational group with a projected nationwide oversupply of middle-skills credentials is health care. 

For individuals interested in analyzing and comparing trends across metro areas, the data tool allows you to select specific metro areas and occupational groups of interest to examine and draw conclusions from. For instance, the tool indicates that the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area produces significantly more workers with credentials for middle-skills, high-paying management occupations compared to many other metro areas, such as New York-Newark-Jersey City and Boston-Cambridge-Newton.  

Employers, jobseekers, students and other stakeholders interested in examining the projected match among middle-skills credentials and the job market are encouraged to use and share this resource and information.