Rapid advances in technology and increased demand for skilled workers have transformed the way today’s students prepare for life after high school. This changing landscape has made Career and Technical Education, or CTE, more critical and popular than ever before. CTE programs, which are gaining momentum nationwide, help students — those who are headed for a job as well as those bound for college — make critical school-to-career connections across a wide range of industries.
Here in Florida, CTE gets started early. A new state law now requires Florida middle school students to complete a CTE planning course to be promoted to high school. The internet-based curriculum includes a customized exploration of multiple academic and career pathways, Bright Futures scholarships, entrepreneurial opportunities and essential workplace skills.
In financial terms, the ROI on CTE is high. In fact, research shows that students participating in CTE programs are more likely to graduate from high school than those who don’t. Students who take CTE courses before graduating high school are also more likely to enroll in a two-year college and to be employed after high school than those who don’t. And according to the Florida Department of Education, more than 20 career and technical certifications in Florida — ranging from firefighter and law enforcement to business management and information technology specialist — would be covered by just a 1-Year Prepaid 529 Plan.
Let’s take a closer look at how CTE is shaping future careers in Florida and why it’s an important consideration for your child’s success:
- Rapid Growth. Across Florida, CTE programs are on the rise, allowing students to explore a wide range of careers and make informed decisions through hands-on learning. During the 2023-24 academic year, CTE enrollments were at an all-time high. More than than 800,000 middle and high school students and more than 480,000 post-secondary students — a 30% increase in postsecondary enrollments since 2019 — participated in CTE programs.
Florida students can find customized career guidance at Get There, a workforce education initiative highlighting the benefits of rapid credentialing programs available at the 28 Florida College System institutions and the 48 technical colleges and centers across the state. - Affordability. Nationwide, tuition for CTE programs is less expensive than tuition for traditional colleges and universities, with lower per-credit-hour costs. In Florida, for the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition costs for career certificates and applied technology diplomas will be as low as $2.33 per contact hour. Many of these programs — some of which can be completed in 12 to 18 months — are the cost equivalent of a 1-Year Prepaid Plan. As a result, CTE students can more easily bypass student debt and start their careers faster.
- Access to Strong Earnings. Nationally and in Florida, many career certifications are associated with higher wages and the potential for upward mobility in fields including health care, construction, manufacturing and transportation.
Whether your child is interested in earning a traditional four-year degree, an industry certification or a specialized career credential, they will need to master skills that are now evolving in real time. To give your student an edge, check out what CTE has to offer!
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