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Career and Tech Education Programs, Program Completers Grow Significantly

November 12, 2019

LANSING – Michigan’s number of students completing career and technical education (CTE) programs has increased by over 75 percent in the past four years, with additional but smaller growth in CTE enrollment, number of programs offered, and college credits earned, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) released today.

The number of CTE program completers has increased from 27,014 in 2014-2015 to 47,314 in 2018-2019. A CTE completer is a student who has successfully completed courses covering all of the CTE program standards in a state-approved CTE program, and has taken the required technical skills assessment for that program.

“Every Michigander deserves a path to a good-paying job that they can support themselves and their families on,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This progress is great news for our families, our businesses, and our economy. 

“Earlier this year, I announced a plan to reach 60 percent of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certification by 2030,” Whitmer said. “To reach that goal, we must continue to ensure people across the state have access to great CTE programs that can prepare them for future success. I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and I’m ready to continue working with everyone who wants to help us take more steps toward 60 percent.”

“More students are finding their path and accomplishing their goals through our expanding career and technical education programs,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “The growth is exciting and encouraging as we continue to build on our educational progress.”

CTE student enrollment has grown from 104,038 students in the 2014-2015 school year to 110,506 in 2018-2019, representing 23.4 percent of the state’s students in 9th to 12thgrade.

The number of Michigan students who have earned one or more college credits through a CTE course has increased to over 5,000 students in Michigan in the 2018-2019 school year, with students earning an average of 5.6 college credits.

The number of CTE programs offered to students has exceeded 18 percent growth over the past four years, from 1,754 in 2014-2015 to 2,078 in 2018-2019.

CTE programs are offered in career clusters, or specific areas of career focus. The career clusters with the most students enrolled in the 2018-2019 school year were Marketing, Sales and Service (14,258 students), Business, Management & Administration (12,678), Health Science (12,071), and Information Technology (9,822).