CTE Delivery

Career Technical Education in California is delivered to students in many ways, as seen here:

Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROC/Ps)

California's 74 Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROC/Ps) have been a strong and integral part of California's educational system for over 35 years. ROC/Ps provide high school students 16 years of age and older, and also adult students, with valuable career and technical education so students can (1) enter the workforce with skills and competencies to be successful; (2) pursue advanced training in postsecondary educational institutions; or (3) upgrade existing skills and knowledge.

California Partnership Academies

Partnership Academies are a three-year program for students in grades ten through twelve. Structured as a school-within-a-school, academies create a close family-like atmosphere, integrate academic work and CTE, and establish viable business partnerships that provide support for the program. Emphasis is placed on student achievement and positive postsecondary outcomes. Academies have been carefully evaluated and have been shown to have a positive impact on school performance. There are 290 funded programs throughout California.

California Community Colleges

California Community Colleges are an integral part of the overall Career Technical Education system in the state.

California Charter Schools

Many charter schools in California are theme based, focusing on one or several of the 15 Industry Sectors

Senate Bill 70 (SB70), the Governors Initiative on improving and strengthening Career Technical Education

In 2005, the Governor’s Initiative on Improving and Strengthening Career Technical Education (CTE) was successfully carried through Senate Bill (SB) 70 by Senator Scott. SB 70 allocated $20,000,000 from the Community College reversion account to be specifically used for the improving of CTE at both the community college and secondary level. The bill allowed for CDE to be an active and full partner in the development of the plan to carry out this important initiative. The Regional Occupational Centers and Programs-Workforce Development Unit (ROCP-WD) provides the leadership in this work. For the past two years, Unit staff have met and conferred on the plan for the funds to be dispersed to the CTE field. Last year, SB 1130 was signed by the Governor to continue this important work with additional funding for the next five years through the 2013-14 fiscal years.

Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare an individual for a career in the skilled crafts and trades. Apprentices develop technical skills, experience the sharing of assignments, and see how technical tasks relate specifically to theoretical knowledge and interpretation taught in the classroom. Currently, there are more than 850 apprenticeable occupations in the United States and over 200 active, registered apprenticeable occupations in California. Apprentices earn a wage while learning. Apprenticeship programs usually require one to five years to complete, depending upon the occupation. The apprenticeship training system is unique in that its basic foundation is a partnership between industry, education, and government. Industry-funded and industry-driven, the apprenticeship training system provides an effective balance between on-the-job training and theoretical practical classroom instruction in an effort to develop workers with marketable skills. The classroom instruction is known as related and supplemental instruction. The CDE and cooperating Regional Occupational Centers and Programs and adult programs provide ongoing technical support for apprenticeship programs across the state.