Career and Technical Education Month
Blog post: February 26, 2026
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to recognize the hands‑on learning programs that help Californians build real skills for real jobs.
Last year, Governor Newsom introduced the Master Plan for Career Education, a statewide strategy to better connect education and workforce systems so more Californians can find stable, well‑paid work, whether or not they choose a four‑year degree.
A key theme of the Master Plan is that there is no wrong door to gaining skills. Californians learn valuable job skills in many ways: on the job, through military service, through trades, and in classrooms. The plan calls for expanding Credit for Prior Learning so these experiences count, and for helping students in academic settings better understand the value of the skills they’ve gained in class so they can see their own value in the labor market.
The Master Plan also encourages a “skills‑first” approach to hiring. This means employers should focus on what people can do – not just the degrees they hold. In the age of AI and rapid job change, skills matter more than ever. For colleges and universities, this is both an opportunity to show the continued value of degrees and a challenge to ensure that their programs lead to strong career outcomes.
For educators, this shift means recognizing that all courses – not just CTE – prepare students for the workplace. It also means helping students connect classroom learning to real‑world skills. At the same time, CTE programs can shine even brighter. These programs are no longer seen as a track for students considered “not college-bound.” Instead, they offer relevant, rigorous pathways that still allow learners to pursue more academic options if they choose.
The California Workforce Development Board is using the Master Plan as a guide to rethink how the workforce system fits into Californians’ lives. CWDB is also working closely with education partners so the “no wrong door” vision becomes real for learners across the state.
CTE Month is a reminder of the power of practical, skill‑building education, and with the Master Plan for Career Education, California is taking bold steps to ensure every learner has a clear, supported path to a strong career.