Career Cluster Appendix

New technology, global challenges and initiatives point to new pathways and new opportunities in our economies career clusters. The following resources highlight exemplars, entrepreneurial opportunities and high schools who are leading the way in pathway development and implementation. 

A student snips wires for a boat-building project.
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This career clusters appendix has been informed and inspired by the Advance CTE modernized National Career Clusters® Framework, to be released in Fall 2024. We have leveraged sub-cluster defintions as well as the cluster groupings as organizing principles for this work. 

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Robotics team, Lee’s Summit High School
FFE

Building and Moving

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Construction

The Construction Career Cluster focuses on professions involved in designing, planning, managing, and executing projects in the built environment.

Advanced Manufacturing

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Cluster integrates innovative technologies to improve design and production, focusing on engineering, R&D, automation, equipment maintenance, safety, and quality control.

Supply Chain & Transportation

The Supply Chain & Transportation Career Cluster involves managing the efficient movement of goods from production to consumption across air, ground, and water, along with maintaining transportation systems.

Due to increased infrastructure spending, aging American cities, a national housing crisis, and a rampant worker shortage, we’ve entered the era of Building & Moving that is dependent upon robust and coherent pathways.

Business Starting and Scaling

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Management & Entrepreneurship

The Management & Entrepreneurship Career Cluster covers skills essential to all industries, focusing on operations, strategic planning, and workforce management, including accounting, data analysis, HR, project management, and leadership.

Marketing & Sales

The Marketing & Sales Career Cluster emphasizes promoting products, understanding consumer needs, and driving sales through digital marketing, data analysis, branding, CRM, and retail strategies to support business growth.

Financial Services

The Financial Services Career Cluster encompasses careers in managing and advising financial transactions, including banking, lending, corporate finance, debt management, accounting, insurance, and real estate.

We’re entering an unpredictable future. One where many of the jobs will need to be created in real-time to solve complex, collaborative challenges. As a result, all young people need a baseline in leadership and business acumen. This cross-cutting sector ensures a savvy generation of problem solvers.

Creating and Experiencing

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Hospitality & Events

Arts, Entertainment & Design

The Arts, Entertainment & Design Career Cluster combines creative roles in visual and performing arts, film, journalism, fashion, interior design, and creative technologies.

We live in a burgeoning gig economy and one that prioritizes experiences above all else. This will only become more true with emerging technology. The Creating & Experiencing cluster grouping is ripe for innovation, entrepreneurship and agentic learners.

Cultivating Resources

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Agriculture

The Agriculture Career Cluster focuses on the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products, using advanced technologies and sustainable practices in areas like food systems, regenerative agriculture, logging, and fisheries.

Energy

The Energy & Natural Resources Career Cluster covers careers in traditional and renewable energy, utilities, conservation, ecological research, and resource extraction, prioritizing efficient resource management and minimizing environmental impact.

Global climate challenges, increased infrastructure spending, and supply challenges are all putting pressure on our pre-existing energy and agriculture pathways. Identifying a pathway in the Cultivating Resources cluster grouping is a great way to grow a career that serves a greening world.

Health Science Pathways

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There are significant opportunities within the health sciences sector, driven by advancements in synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and a growing demand for personalized and preventative care. The Health Sciences career cluster boasts countless academies and pathways programs that set these students up for success.

Technology Pathways

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Cross-Cutting

Technology skills and aptitudes are applicable in nearly every industry and with the rise of emergent technology the need is growing rather than diminishing.

Digital Technology Cluster

The Digital Technology Career Cluster focuses on developing digital systems for communication and data storage, utilizing AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity while preparing professionals to lead in the evolving tech landscape.

Technology skills have a high utility in all career sectors, making them an essential cross-cutting cluster for future jobs. At the same time, they offer a myriad of tech specific pathways leading to jobs in AI, cybersecurity, IT and more.

Additional Resources for Career Exploration

  • EvolveMe and FutureScape from American Student Assistance (ASA) let students explore careers through interests and reward-based experiences.
  • Pathful (formerly Nepris) offers an excellent platform for connecting young people with industry professionals, facilitating valuable career exploration opportunities.
  • Roadtrip Nation Interviews provides direct access to insights from professionals. Simply search by field or job title to explore real-world career stories.
  • Career Village and AI Career Coach allow users to explore a wide range of pathways by providing tailored content and guidance across multiple industries.
  • SchoolJoy enables interactive conversations with AI-generated professionals, offering a dynamic and engaging way to explore various career paths.
  • Gladeo curates local career guides that align with in-demand industries, helping users jump-start their career exploration in targeted fields.
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Building and Moving

Building and Moving Due to increased infrastructure spending, aging American cities, a national housing crisis and more, we’ve entered the era of building and moving. Construction Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain and Transportation We’ve entered the age of building. Across all sectors, there is a growing need for…