| By Gale Staff |
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a proven pathway to success for students following high school. According to the Career and Technical Education Research Network, CTE has positive impacts on student academic achievement, high school completion, college readiness, and employability. While CTE students typically earn fewer bachelor’s degrees compared to their counterparts, many pursue associate degrees or certifications that lead directly to employment. In fact, students who focus on CTE during high school are more likely to be employed following graduation.1
Although schools are prioritizing CTE programs nationwide, the demands of today’s rapidly evolving workforce make it difficult for educators to keep up. When industries evolve faster than traditional curricula, how can your school prepare students to excel in their careers? Discover how you can overcome four common struggles schools are facing in CTE, including providing current, real-world resources that equip students for the modern workforce.
1. Traditional CTE Materials Lack Currency and Relevancy
Today’s growing industries like healthcare, automotive technology, and IT are evolving at speeds that far surpass traditional curricula. Evolutions in automation and AI are causing rapid shifts in the way modern professionals work. When CTE classrooms rely on textbooks and other quickly outdated materials, students don’t have access to information that reflects the realities of the job market. Without the right resources, students risk graduating unprepared to excel in their desired field.
To keep up with constant workforce advancements, CTE students and educators need dynamic, up-to-date learning materials that are relevant to today’s industry standards. Digital resources help educators stay ahead with consistently updated, flexible CTE content. For example, schools use current, scalable CTE solutions from Gale to support student career exploration and build foundational skills for career readiness.
2. CTE Teachers Grapple with Burnout and Staffing Shortages
CTE teacher shortages outpace shortages in traditional academic subjects, leaving schools struggling to fill positions, let alone innovate their CTE programs.2
While many CTE educators are passionate, they lack the time, support, and tools they need to find relevant industry content, update their lessons, and integrate new technologies in the classroom. These challenges lead to higher rates of burnout and attrition for CTE teachers.
When schools partner with Gale to support CTE, they don’t just get relevant, quality content for learners—they also get added support for educators, from on-demand training to ready-to-use learning materials, including pre-made lesson plans and expert guidance from leading professional development publishers.
3. There’s a Growing Need for Students to Be Career-Ready by Graduation
Districts are under increasing pressure to improve graduation rates and ensure students are ready for life after high school. Beyond academic achievement, graduation goals increasingly emphasize student career readiness. Educators across disciplines are focused on equipping future-ready students, but what does this look like in addition to building twenty-first-century skills?
Empower your students to take ownership of their futures, whether they’re headed to college or straight into the workforce, by helping them explore their available paths. Provide assessments for students to understand how their interests match potential careers, guide students to connect with industry professionals, and offer extracurricular activities that give students real-world experience.
4. Equity Gaps in CTE Programs Limit Student Access and Opportunity
Many students lack access to high-quality CTE resources, especially those in underserved populations and rural or underfunded districts. Gaps in digital equity are also expanding as students lose opportunities to increase their digital literacy, both from a lack of device access and limited learning conditions. In the digital age, schools must not only provide the technology students need but also ensure they can use those tools effectively.3
With Gale, schools can provide current, trusted CTE resources on a digital platform built for accessibility and inclusivity. Gale resources are student-focused, offering users intuitive navigation and consumable content. Plus, features like ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology, translations in over 50 languages, and leveled content ensure that every student, regardless of their background, can engage meaningfully with CTE material.
Overcome CTE Challenges by Partnering with Gale
Schools are facing many challenges when it comes to CTE, but you don’t have to face them alone. Get help modernizing instruction, supporting your educators, and preparing students for their future careers by choosing a trusted CTE partner. When you work with Gale, you’ll have access to high-quality, adaptable CTE resources and ongoing support to drive success in your district.
Ready to learn more about how Gale can help you keep up with the evolving demands of CTE? Connect with your rep to discuss your school’s needs or explore our curated selection of CTE resources.
Notes:
- Jim Lindsay, et al. “What We Know About the Impact of Career and Technical Education: A Systematic Review of the Research,” Career and Technical Education Research Network, Institute of Education Sciences, April 2024.
- Hannah C. Kistler and Shaun M. Dougherty. “Career and technical education is a hidden weak spot in many high schools’ teacher workforces,” Brookings.edu, April 9, 2024.
- Robert Simpson. “CoSN 2025 Report Highlights Key Challenges, Trends, and Technology Innovations in K–12 Education,” ED Tech REC, 2025.