CTE has evolved from a limited number of vocational programs available at the turn of the 20th century into a broad system that encompasses a variety of challenging fields in diverse subject areas which are constantly evolving due to the changing global economy.

Today's CTE provides students:

•Academic subject matter taught with relevance to the real world

•Employability skills, from job-related skills to workplace ethics

•Career pathways that link secondary and postsecondary education

•Second-chance education and training

•Education for additional training and degrees, especially related to workplace training, skills upgrades and career advancement.