Giving Compass' Take:

• Linda Jacobson reports that a study found that high school CTE programs are not providing students with skills that employers need.

• How can funders help to bring high school programs in line with real-world demand? 

• Learn about bringing employers into the mix to improve CTE.

A new analysis of 24 states’ career and technical education (CTE) programs finds the industry credentials students can earn while in high school are not necessarily in high demand by employers nor would lead to a living wage.

Conducted by ExcelinEd, a nonprofit founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Burning Glass Technologies, which conducts job market analytics, “Credentials Matter” also shows that of the top 15 credentials earned — such as a WISE Financial Literacy Certification, basic first aid and a National Center for Construction Education and Research carpentry credential — 10 are already oversupplied in the job market.

The report recommends that states conduct an audit of CTE programs for quality and alignment with “high-skill, high wage, in-demand careers,” define and clarify the differences between a certification, a license, CTE assessments and other credentials, and that districts collaborate with state agencies to gain access to regional and local labor market data.

Read the full article about high school CTE programs by Linda Jacobson at Education Dive.