High schools and colleges are faced with numerous barriers to sustaining and developing CTE courses and pathways. In 2005, the Legislature provided $20 million to fund the Governor's Career Technical Education Pathways and Workforce Development Program to align K-12 career technical education with local community colleges, based on models consistent with the California Community Colleges' Economic Workforce Development (EWD) Program. The Program is also intended to improve education pathways and career-technical awareness for students enrolled in both systems. The community college system is assisting K-12 in building and aligning coordinated CTE pathways that lead to postsecondary programs of study to prepare students for high-skill jobs with high wages.
The collaboration of both education systems has yielded positive and effective outcomes for students by providing them with information about careers, as well as experiences, which assist students in developing educational plans that relate to career as well as academic success. It is anticipated that much more will be accomplished as K-12 and Community Colleges continue to work together at the state, regional and local levels for the benefit of all Californians.
Presently, the funding for this initiative is projected to be available through the year 2014.
August 8, 2008: The Intent to Award Letter for Linking After-School Employment to Career Pathways (08-0174) is now available. Grants will commence September 9, 2008. The Instructions, Specification, and release letter are available under the 2008-09 tab at www.cccco.edu/SystemOffice/Divisions/EconDevWorkPrep/EWD/Grants/tabid/487/Default.aspx
June 10, 2008: Letter of Intent to Award and Funding List for the Governor's Career Technical Education Initiative (SB 70/SB 1133) "Construction Industry Sector Career Pathways Regional Projects" Grants for Fiscal Year 2007-08
May 19, 2008 -- The Intent to Award Letters and Funding Lists for the FY 2007-08 CTE Community Collaborative Projects, Supplemental, and Workforce Innovation Partnerships Grants are now available.