Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

Career Clusters and Programs of Study

Tennessee’s secondary Career & Technical Education (CTE) Division has adopted the National Career Clusters model of 16 career clusters and has developed programs of study within these clusters. Technological advances and global competition have transformed the nature of work.  Tomorrow's jobs will require more knowledge, better skills, and more flexible workers than ever before.  Tomorrow's workers must be prepared to change jobs and careers several times, continually updating their knowledge and skills. One key approach to this goal is to provide students with relevant contexts for learning. Career clusters link what students learn in school with the knowledge and skills they need for success in college and careers.

Career clusters identify programs of study from secondary school to technology centers, community colleges, four-year colleges, graduate schools, and the workplace, so students can learn in school what they can do in the future.  This connection to future goals motivates students to work harder and enroll in more rigorous courses.

The Cluster and Programs of Study planning meetings were held with Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), teacher educators, CTE and academic teachers school counselors, Tech Prep directors, college and university deans, school counselors, academic and CTE consultants, Tennessee Board of Regents, CTE directors, and business and industry representatives to align the course standards with the 16 career clusters. These stakeholders have helped develop programs of study that transition into post-secondary education and career employment.  The state has developed over 70 programs of study within the 16 National Career Clusters.  They have been introduced state-wide through Career Clusters Regional Training for 2007-2008 school year.

The clusters embrace the state’s major economic areas to better prepare students for success after high school into post-secondary education and high-skill, high-wage, and/or high-demand careers. New Carl Perkins IV legislation has mandated Career Cluster development.