What are Career Clusters/Pathways? (THE ROADMAP) Career clusters/pathways are clusters of careers/occupations grouped together because the people and the jobs in them share similar interests and strengths, and because the clusters share many skills,tasks, and knowledge.
All career clusters/pathways include a variety of occupations that require different levels of education and training.
Why Do We Need Career Clusters/Pathways?
To provide a PLAN for ALL students, based on their interests, abilities, and desired levels of education
To increase student awareness of career opportunities and labor market realities
To provide ALL students with areas of FOCUS, along with FLEXIBILITY and a VARIETY of ideas to explore and pursue as they make decisions regarding course selection
To give students the ability to see connections from high school to post-secondary training and education and/or careers
To allow students to see a RELEVANCE to their selected high school courses and other activities (school-connected and otherwise). Thus, students areapt to do better in school and to stay in school
To help students define and pursue appropriate education plans for their career goals
To help parents and other adults provide better ASSISTANCE to students as they discuss careers and select high school and/or post-secondary courses
As a tool for sharing information about career options and educational requirements with students, parents, and school staff
To provide a framework for the school to develop real, valuable work-based learning opportunities and college visits for students
As a tool for identifying students who may have a particular interest or aptitude to drive program planning (tech prep, dual credit, innovative courses, etc.)
What Information Should Be Included in the Plan?
Career options - entry level, one to two years of training, four years of training, and beyond
Labor market information
Postsecondary educational requirements and interests
Secondary educational requirements
Secondary electives and extracurricular connections to career interest areas
What Are Coherent Sequences of Courses? (THE STOPS ALONG THE WAY) A coherent sequence of courses is an educational plan (course-by-course and semester-by-semester) made up of developmentally-appropriate courses suited for a broad career objective and including learning experiences leading to both academic and occupational competencies. Acoherent sequence of courses includes two or more career- and technology-education courses for three or more credits in the course of a four-year plan leading toward graduation.
Each student should, under the guidance of a parent, counselor, and career educator, have the opportunity to develop his or her OWN INDIVIDUAL coherent sequence of courses.
