Systems Alignment through the National Career Clusters® Framework

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Systems Alignment through the National Career Clusters® Framework
Language: English
Authors: Kate Kreamer, Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work
Source: Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work. 2025.
Availability: Advance CTE: State Leaders connecting Learning to Work. 8484 Georgia Avenue Suite 320, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 301-588-9630; Fax: 301-576-7115; Web site: https://careertech.org/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Career and Technical Education, Occupational Clusters, Educational Policy, State Policy, Career Pathways, Alignment (Education), Elementary Secondary Education, Higher Education, Labor Force Development, Economic Development, Partnerships in Education, Shared Resources and Services
Geographic Terms: Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska
Abstract: Despite ongoing efforts and intentions, education and workforce systems remain too siloed, each offering their own programs, structures, and terminology. This can serve as a barrier for learners and industry partners alike. The shift to the updated National Career Clusters® Framework represents a unique moment in time to engage key audiences, have conversations about opportunities for greater alignment of work and language, and identify where capacity can be better leveraged across systems. This brief articulates how to leverage the modernized National Career Clusters Framework as a prime opportunity to bring together these key systems--K-12, higher education, workforce development, and economic development--to support an aligned and cohesive career preparation system. The resource shares: (1) optimal state for this policy area and key elements; (2) promising state practices; (3) key questions for consideration; and (4) recommendations. This resource is part of a collection of briefs that provide recommendations, models, and promising practices to maximize the implementation of the Framework.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED677913
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Despite ongoing efforts and intentions, education and workforce systems remain too siloed, each offering their own programs, structures, and terminology. This can serve as a barrier for learners and industry partners alike. The shift to the updated National Career Clusters® Framework represents a unique moment in time to engage key audiences, have conversations about opportunities for greater alignment of work and language, and identify where capacity can be better leveraged across systems. This brief articulates how to leverage the modernized National Career Clusters Framework as a prime opportunity to bring together these key systems--K-12, higher education, workforce development, and economic development--to support an aligned and cohesive career preparation system. The resource shares: (1) optimal state for this policy area and key elements; (2) promising state practices; (3) key questions for consideration; and (4) recommendations. This resource is part of a collection of briefs that provide recommendations, models, and promising practices to maximize the implementation of the Framework.