Regional Economic and Workforce Projections are Used to Prioritize Career Academy Selection Within the Master Plan and Employer–Educator Councils are Formed to Match Employee Demand with Education Supply

What to do
NGL uses the 16 Career Clusters defined by the U.S. Department of Education to select career academies to be developed in the master plan. Both educators and business leaders widely use the 16-cluster framework to describe knowledge and skills needed for success.

Why it’s important
Stakeholders need a common language to describe how students should be trained and employment opportunities offered.

Signs that you’re on the right track
• The community establishes clear career and technical education (CTE) and career academy priorities using the 16-cluster framework and approved plans study for selected clusters and pathways.
• Career clusters form the basis for all communication among stakeholders.
• In the first year of career academy implementation, the pathways and specialties offered within clusters are clearly described.
• Business leaders are identified for all prioritized career clusters and meet regularly.

NGLs that are meeting the benchmark
Sacramento, California, City Schools
Coachella Valley, California

Related Resources
Making the Financial Case for Career Academies: A Utility’s Business Case - Jennifer Grove