The National Career Clusters® Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality career and technical education (CTE) programs through learning and comprehensive programs of study. In total, there are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing more than 79 Career Pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career.

As an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction, Career Clusters provide the essential knowledge and skills for the 16 Career Clusters and their Career Pathways. It also functions as a useful guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and postsecondary curriculum and for creating individual student plans of study for a complete range of career options. As such, it helps students discover their interests and their passions, and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college and career. (Source: Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work.)

The Office of Career Readiness is organized into the 16 Career Clusters with a specialist overseeing the entire cluster throughout the state.  Please contact the Career Cluster lead to share best practices and inquire about resources for career and technical education (CTE) programs of study.

Career Clusters Information