Career and Technical Education

Career Technical Education

The Michigan Department of Education - Office of Career and Technical Education (MDE-OCTE) works closely with regional career and technical education (CTE) administrators to provide support and technical assistance to implement and improve current operating CTE programs, as well as to support the development of new CTE programs.

Michigan's CTE system provides learners access to equitable, high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE Programs aligned to rigorous academic and technical standards and career-ready practices. The CTE system:

• Encompasses multiple career pathway entry and exit options, including progressively intensive work-based learning and leadership opportunities, culminating in a postsecondary recognized credential;
• Cultivates multi-stakeholder collaboration with business, industry, labor, and community partners to develop in-demand, credential-driven, robust career pathways;
• Supports strong alignment and partnership between K-12 educators, employers, community colleges, and higher education institutions and;
• Prepares the existing and emerging workforce to result in educated, skilled, informed, and responsible residents. 

MDE-OCTE also oversees Michigan's Early Middle Colleges (EMC), an MDE-approved five-year program of study. EMCs allow pupils to earn a high school diploma and one of the following:

• 60 transferable college credits,
• an associate degree,
• a professional certification,
• the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate, or
• the right to participate in a registered apprenticeship.

Celena Mills, Director
Office of Career and Technical Education
517-335-5224
MillsC1@michigan.gov

For specific information:
Career Readiness Unit: MillerD66@michigan.gov
Early Middle College Unit: StoverS@michigan.gov
Grants, Assessments, Monitoring and Grants Unit: KrollJ1@michigan.gov