Career and Technical Education (CTE) affords opportunities to all students interested in acquiring the academic, technical and employability skills necessary to succeed in post-high school education and/or high-demand careers. We envision a sustainable future in which Hawaiʻi graduates can live ma thrive in Hawaiʻi by being prepared to succeed in high-skill, high-wage ma high-demand occupations.

The mission of CTE is to serve our schools ma the greater community by designing quality CTE programs that meet the needs of Hawaiʻi’s labor workforce—inclusive of new pathways ma programs of study, industry standards, work-based learning, industry recognized certifications, dual credit opportunities ma professional development—as well as to ensure equity of access, ma increase participation rates ma successful outcomes.

Career Pathways

CTE talaaga

The impetus for expanding the CTE Career Pathways was directly related to:

• O le fuaitau o Perkins V, which provided clearer language on CTE course rigor ma alignment of secondary ma post-secondary education with the workforce. 
• Sa'ili'iliga mai se su'esu'ega a'oa'oga muamua a le CTE na maua na'o le 44 mai le 77 kosi sa fa'aogaina tulaga fa'apitoa.
• Uncertainty over whether CTE offerings were vertically aligned with post-high school education and fully aligned with Hawaiʻi economic ma workforce priorities.  

An alignment study utilized state economic ma workforce data to determine high-skill, high-wage ma high-demand occupations for Hawaiʻi along with the stateʻs economic priorities ma initiatives. The results were used to inform the selection of CTE programs to meet the needs of the alignment study. This led to the expansion from six CTE Career Pathways to 13 ma the redesign of the CTE programs of study.

The redesigned Career Pathways include:

• Revision of courses, program of study industry course standards, ma recommended benchmark student learning activities to support deeper learning ma the acquisition of academic, technical and employability skills.
• A robust approach to work-based learning (WBL) consisting of embedded WBL benchmark activities that are aligned to standards ma a capstone WBL course for each program of study.

Fa'asino i le CTE Pathway Rollout Timeline (PDF) mo nisi fa'amatalaga i luga ole fa'alauiloa.

Sini Auala

Fesili masani

When should Career Pathways be used?

Career Pathways provide an ideal organizing tool at all educational levels—kindergarten through college—to guide career exploration ma planning activities, focus teaching ma learning, ma connect education with relevant, real-world activities.

How can Career Pathways be used?

O le Career Pathways are a tool for career awareness, exploration, preparation ma training for all students K-12. Introducing students to broad career pathways, ma the numerous career clusters ma occupations within, expands their career possibilities. Older students may also find the interest inventory test (RIASEC (PDF)) helpful in exploring Career Pathway options.

At the secondary ma post-secondary levels, Career Pathways provide industry standards that meet business ma industry requirements.

Pathways ma Programs of Study by District ma School (Google Sheet)

Students may attain mastery of all specific Career Pathway course standards by completing a Program of Study, which spans four years at the high school level. Programs of Study are designed to:  

• Integrate academic standards, career and workplace skills, ma specific business ma industry validated standards; 
• Incorporate work-based learning, industry recognized credentials, ma early post-high school opportunities where feasible ma appropriate; ma 
• Prepare students for further education and/or employment.

Polokalame o Suesuega

Hawaiʻi State Department of A'oga has 13 Career Pathways ma Polokalame o Suesuega:

Tulaga Fa'ailoga Fa'ailoga Fa'ailoga   

In addition to meeting the requirements for the Hawaiʻi high school diploma, a student must meet the following requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 ma above: 

• Fa'auma se fa'asologa o vasega e lua i se Polokalama CTE po'o Polokalama Su'esu'e.
• Maua se B pe sili atu i kosi taitasi o le faasologa o vasega e lua.
• Fa'afeiloa'i pe sili atu le tomai i se Su'esu'ega Fa'atino mo le Polokalama po'o Polokalama o Su'esu'ega.

The CTE Performance-Based Assessments (PBAs) evaluate students’ abilities to apply the academic and technical skills ma knowledge they have learned in their CTE Programs of Study. The PBA is conducted by a school or by a school district. The PBA includes three components:

1. Technical writing.
2. Tulaga tautala.
3. Iloiloga o faatinoga.

Fono Faufautua Auala

Pathway Advisory Council (PAC) members advise the Department on the skills, knowledge, tools, technology ma tasks needed in today’s careers. The PAC objectives are to:

• Provide industry-specific expertise to inform student technical skills learning in CTE programs of study ma the associated industry standards.
• Create linkages between industry, high school ma post-high school education.
• Enhance the industry and technical skills experiences of CTE educators.
• Provide collaborative opportunities for input ma consultation.

Career and Technical Student Organizations

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are an integral component of CTE classroom curriculum ma instruction. They develop employability and career skills by engaging students in applied learning experiences. 

CTSOs enhance learning by providing opportunities for contextual instruction, leadership ma personal development, ma real world application. Through activities, programs ma competitive events, CTSOs help guide students in selecting a career path or program of study, ma provide opportunities to gain the skills ma abilities needed to be successful in those careers. In addition, students have opportunities to hold leadership positions at the local, state ma national levels ma attend leadership development conferences to network with other students ma business ma industry partners.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of A'oga currently has five CTSOs:

1. TEKA
2. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
3. FFA (sa taʻua muamua o le Future Farmers of America)
4. HOSA - Tomai Fa'alesoifua maloloina i le Lumanai
5. SkillsUSA

Faasilasilaga Faaletausaga

Prior to the beginning of each school year, each high school offering a CTE program must advise students, parents, employees ma the general public that all vocational opportunities will be offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or handicap. This Faasilasilaga Faaletausaga (PDF) ua faaliliuina i gagana eseese e 14.

Punaoa e Fa'atatau ile CTE

O mea nei e talafeagai ile fa'atinoga o le CTE: 

Elementary Lesson Plans

The Department’s Office of Curriculum ma Instructional Design, Career and Technical Education (CTE) program has created career-connected lesson plans for use in elementary schools.

RIASEC Test for Career Pathways

RIASEC codes are a way of classifying people according to their interests so that they can be matched with appropriate careers. The system was developed by Dr. John L. Holland, an academic psychologist. Dr. Holland’s theory proposes that there are six broad areas into which all careers can be classified. These same six areas can be used to describe people, their personalities ma interests. For instance, “Building” careers are those that involve working with tools or machinery (e.g., carpenter, mechanic or airline pilot). People with building interests typically like working with their hands ma creating a tangible product.
Aoga ma individuals may use the Su'ega RIASEC (PDF) without permission from the Department, provided they are using the resource for educational purposes.

Hawaiʻi Academies

Hawaiʻi Academies provide systematic support to meet HIDOE’s vision ma mission by expanding Smaller Learning Communities (SLCs) in Hawaiʻi to prepare all students for college and careers. Learn more about member schools ma the career academy themes they are designed around by clicking on the header.

Hawaiʻi Career Explorer

Hawaiʻi Career Explorer is an online tool from the University of Hawaiʻi Community College System that provides information on the credits, certificates ma degrees that are available related to various careers.

Vaega Fa'aa'oa'oga a Tamaiti Ofisa Fa'asao (JROTC)

O le Vaega Fa'aa'oa'oga a Tamaiti Ofisa Fa'asao (JROTC) is a four-year CTE elective program of instruction cost-shared by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force ma Marine Corps. Two consecutive JROTC courses fulfill the CTE two-credit requirement for a high school diploma. 

The curriculum is designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, personal responsibility ma teamwork, while instilling self esteem, self discipline ma a sense of accomplishment. JROTC cadets earn advanced rank when enlisting into any branch of the military, ma advanced opportunities for federal/military academy appointments ma ROTC college scholarships.​ JROTC is not a military recruiting program; cadets will not incur any military obligation upon completion of the program.

JROTC is a service to our nation, in that it provides cadets the motivation ma skills to improve physical fitness, remain drug free, think critically ma creatively, communicate effectively, work as a team member, graduate from high school, pursue meaningful careers, ma become successful citizens. 

Mo nisi fa'amatalaga, fa'afeso'ota'i le LTC (ret.) Edgar Rivera.