Career and Technical Education: A solution to Florida’s Pandemic-Wounded Economy
Published on: Sep 24, 2020
While scientists are still working on a cure for COVID-19, Florida already has a remedy for its pandemic-impacted economy: workforce education and training. Career and technical education, also known as CTE, offers an exciting alternative to the traditional university pathway. CTE can accelerate an individual’s economic self-sufficiency and our economy’s recovery and prosperity. Sharing the good news about CTE's ability to transform lives is urgent. Whether unemployed or underemployed, Floridians can quickly train for a new, in-demand and well-paying occupation. Often in 18 weeks or less, students can land a postsecondary certification or certificate that will help them get back to work in a new field of their choosing, boosting their community’s financial health as they restore their own.
The Florida Department of Education—recognizing its unique ability to help all residents engage in quality upskilling or reskilling workforce education and training programs—is unveiling the “Get There” campaign, which you can learn more about at GetThereFL.com.
What is the “there” in “Get There”? It’s a mid- to high-wage career with room to advance; it’s financial stability; it’s prosperity, fulfillment and career potential or advancement. CTE helps Floridians get there faster. Get there affordably. Get there sooner. Get there with the help of experienced educators and college professors, many of whom are still working in the industry they’re teaching.
Currently, about 700,000 students are enrolled in CTE courses or programs at the K-12 level, with another 470,000 students at the technical and state college level, annually. By 2030 or sooner, the state is charged with the task of becoming number one in workforce education. If we are to improve the state of the Florida economy, we must double down on all of our CTE programs and initiatives. Moreover, if economic diversification matters for economic wellbeing, so does educational diversification. For too long, CTE has been undervalued by many, often considered a path for students who "cannot cut it", academically. This perception is isolating, othering, and demeaning. By correcting this narrative, approaching a workforce education together with traditional academics, we can empower individuals and uplift whole communities.
The careers available to CTE students are wide-ranging. Students can train in one of 17 career paths, such as architecture and construction; aerospace; business management and administration; advanced manufacturing and IT; health science; transportation, distribution and logistics; and many more. Again, in this economy, impacted Floridians should know that they don’t need to attend four years at a university to become to become a nurse, police officer, radiation therapist or dental hygienist, or a computer programmer or web developer—all examples of jobs that are in-demand, available now, and can be built upon later with higher credentials such as a bachelors or master’s degree.
In the end, CTE has the ability to transform lives while educating for a career. Take it from a guy who majored in philosophy and from someone who still cares passionately about what a liberal arts education does for an individual and society. Thankfully, our CTE programs take care of that—they teach communication, entrepreneurship, empathy, and critical thinking. They prepare individuals for the future of work.
Moreover, our state and technical colleges are hyper focused on uplifting not just individuals, but whole communities—especially communities confronted with historic and systemic barriers to education. Now is the time to share the successes associated with CTE. Now is the time for us to Get There, together.