Tennessee Celebrates Career Development Month During November

During the month of November, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating Career Development Month by highlighting the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Innovative School Models (ISM) programs that provide every student the necessary skills to pursue postsecondary education and high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. Additionally in November, the department will recognize Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) Week, November 11-15, and National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 18-22. Schools, educators, and districts are encouraged to join in highlighting their work by sharing on social media using #EPSOWEEK2024, #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2024, or #NAW2024.

To spotlight the statewide celebration of Career Development Month, Governor Bill Lee issued a proclamation to recognize the opportunities available for students to explore careers and develop the necessary expertise to excel in the workforce, military, and college. Using the hashtags #CareerDevelopmentMonth, #InnovativeSchoolModelsTN, and #AcceleratingTN, Tennesseans can engage on social media throughout the month to learn about career opportunities throughout the state.

“During National Career Development Month, we celebrate Tennessee’s commitment to deliver the training needed for Tennesseans to thrive in a competitive workforce,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “From the GIVE Act to our historic investment in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, we are developing a highly skilled workforce and providing greater opportunity for all Tennesseans.”

“Throughout November, we are proud to highlight the innovative programs being implemented across the state to support students in their future careers,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “Tennessee continues its commitment to providing all students with career exploration opportunities, on-the-job training, and early college opportunities, ensuring their success in college and the workforce.”

With an historic investment of over $500 million from Governor Lee and the General Assembly, ISMs are an integral part of the state’s CTE work in reimagining students’ daily classroom experiences in public middle and high schools across the state. Further, CTE across districts and schools impacts Tennessee’s economy, students, and all stakeholders through partnerships, programming, and a commitment to student success, including:

Middle school students’ participation rate in CTE courses nearly doubled over the past three school years from 58,377 to 115,936.

From the 2022-23 to 2023-24 school years, industry credential earnings increased by 27.9% from 39,089 to 50,027.

Across 160 partnerships statewide, ISMs are providing innovative opportunities to advance student access and understanding of several careers and industries, including advanced manufacturing, health sciences, engineering, agriculture, and construction.

As highlighted in this year’s Tennessee Educator Survey, 93% of CTE teachers reported that their programs have career exploration opportunities. Additionally, 87% said their program provides opportunities for students to demonstrate knowledge learned through leadership or competitive events. Students are also learning from educators who previously worked in the field, as 30% of early-career teachers who are in their first three years of teaching entered the profession via a career change, an increase of 27% from 2023.

Providing high school students the opportunity to earn college credit, Tennessee EPSOs participants earn an average of 23 college credits by the time they graduate from high school.

In July 2024, the department announced 49 work-based learning (WBL) employers named as Tennessee Flagship Industry Partners for their contributions and partnerships with local school districts.

Across the state, there are now 64 active, certified pre-apprenticeship programs available to high school students that can transition to one of nine available registered apprenticeship programs. Registered apprenticeship programs combine paid coursework and on-the-job training from Tennessee employers to provide enriching and valuable learning opportunities for students.

“Pre-apprenticeships empower students by bridging the gap between education and the workforce, equipping them with essential skills and real-world experience that pave the way for successful career pathways,” said Deniece Thomas, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.