Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students the opportunity to explore multiple career fields across 17 Career Clusters. Students can specialize in a career area that aligns with their passion. CTE programs are available to students at the middle and high school levels, as well as both campuses of the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center (Courthouse and Hull). 

CTE offers students the opportunity to earn industry recognized certifications related to their coursework, and to participate and take leadership positions in their Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). Students also have the opportunity for experiential learning opportunities, known as Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences, which are related to a specific occupational area. In specific CTE courses, students also have the opportunity to earn dual enrollment credit aligned towards earning an Associate’s Degree.

CCPS CTE Performance Snapshot

Annual Performance Reports

Career and Technical Education Career Clusters

The National Career Clusters® Framework serves as an organizing tool for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, curriculum design, and instruction. There are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, a 17th, Energy and Power, in Virginia effective as of July 1, 2019, representing 79 Career Pathways to help learners navigate their way to greater success in college and career. The framework also functions as a useful guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and postsecondary systems, and for creating individual student plans of study for a complete range of career options. As such, it helps learners discover their interests and their passions, and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that may lead to success in high school, college, and career.

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers programs of study in each career cluster, though, not all of the nationally identified Pathways are available due to our local business economy alignment. 

CTE Programs

Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for careers across 17 Career Clusters. The programs of study are a coordinated, non duplicative sequence of academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level that is aligned to local, regional, and state industry needs. The program of study is designed to foster student exploration of multiple careers that leads a student to specialize in a CTE program and pursue a career of interest. Please view the link below to see Chesterfield County Public School’s CTE Program of Study.

CTE Plan: VDOE staff will review the local Perkins plan submitted by the division to confirm compliance with § 22.1-253.13:1(D)(3).
d. Annual notice on its website to enrolled high school students and their parents of (i) the availability of the postsecondary education and employment data published by the State Council of Higher Education on its website pursuant to § 23.1-204.1
CTE Programs of Study
Middle & High School Course Offerings
Top 100 Professions in the Commonwealth
Top 10 Degree Programs in the Commonwealth

Career and Technical Student Associations (CTSOS)

All students in a CTE program have the opportunity to be a part of a Career and Technical Student Association (CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular organizations that provide students the opportunity to apply their CTE knowledge in a real world setting, develop leadership characteristics, network with local businesses, and take an active part in their community. Students also have the opportunity to participate in local, state, and national competitions. Below are the CTSOs associated with each program area.

  • Agricultural Education: FFA
  • Business and Information Technology Education: FBLA
  • Family and Consumer Sciences Education: FCCLA and Ed Rising
  • Health and Medical Sciences Education: HOSA
  • Marketing Education: DECA
  • Technology and Engineering Education: TSA
  • Trade and Industrial Education: Skills USA

Work-Based Learning

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an initiative in Chesterfield County Public Schools that provides students experiential learning opportunities while enrolled in CTE courses. WBL helps students apply and extend classroom learning, gain motivation, explore careers, and develop a critical understanding of the work environment.

WBL experiences are part of a coordinated continuum of experiences including, but not limited to, guest speakers, field trips, informational interviews, job shadowing, service-learning projects, internships, apprenticeships, and cooperative education. 

WBL experiences allow students to further develop their 21st century skills (6C’s: critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, communication skills, creative thinking skills, citizen skills, and connection skills), grow their professional network, and gain vital on-the-job experiences related to their coursework. 

Chesterfield County Public Schools CTE is currently in the initial stages of the WBL initiative, and will built out a formal program over the upcoming years. Please revisit this page as we will continue to upload additional information and resources.#CTEWorking
CCPS Work-Based Learning Guide
Work-Based Leanring Experience Chart

Industry Certifications

Each CTE program of study offers students the opportunity to earn an industry recognized certification related to their coursework. In 2018-19, 9,110 industry certifications were earned by students in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Available industry certifications for our CTE programs can be seen by clicking the link below.
CTE Industry Certifications

Concurrent and Dual Enrollment

Concurrent and dual enrollment opportunities are widely available across CTE programs in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Dual enrollment programs allow qualifying students to earn college credit for coursework completed at the high school level for a significantly reduced cost. Concurrent enrollment allows a student to earn college credit by taking a class at the college while in high school. The college credits are offered in partnership with the Virginia Community College System and other institutions of higher learning. Typically the credits can be applied toward a course of study at the granting institution, giving students a boost in their post-secondary studies and career preparation.

Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)

The Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC) is made up of representatives in our local school division (teachers, counselors, administrators), post-secondary college partners, business and workforce partners from the seventeen career clusters, representatives of special populations, parents, and students. The purpose of the advisory board is to provide assistance, feedback, and approval of the operations, initiatives, and direction for all of our CTE programs in Chesterfield County Public Schools.
CTEAC Members
CTEAC Meetings

CTE Events Calendar

CTE programs across the district have many school specific CTE events throughout the year. Please check with your local school for specific event dates/times.  A sample list of district wide events can be seen on our events calendar below.
Calendar of Events

Chesterfield Career Technical Center

The Chesterfield Career Technical Center (CCTC) provides students with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners. CCTC prepares learners for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies, and makes academic content accessible to students by providing it in a hands-on context. 
Chesterfield Career Technical Center

Virginia Career Success Stars

The Virginia Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education celebrates former CTE students in their 20s and 30s recognizing them as the Commonwealth’s brightest Career Success Stars. The individual success stories are featured as video profiles highlighting how CTE programs provide academic and technical skills for high-skill, in-demand, and high-wage careers. For more information, go to Student Profiles

  • Career & Technical Education
  • 13900 Hull Street Rd., Midlothian, VA 23112
  • 804-639-8668 ext. 1044

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