Why Choose CTE?
Career Clusters
Why Choose CTE?
In today’s global economy, business and industry are badly in need of better trained and better prepared employees. Work in America is in constant change with new technologies, labor shortages, and higher-level skill requirements. Here at Pinkerton Academy, Career and Technical Educators are responding to these needs. The curriculum is constantly being reviewed and updated to better align with business and industry. CTE is preparing students for life after high school. In today’s world, the most sought-after employees will exhibit skills in three major areas:
- Strong academic and thinking skills.
- Strong technical skills in the field.
- Employability skills such as the ability to do teamwork and communicate effectively.
CTE develops all of these skills.
Earn more $$ with CTE
The jobs tied to the CTE programs offered at Pinkerton Academy are among the highest grossing and fastest growing occupations in New Hampshire according to the Carsey Institute.
- Veterinarians - Animal Science
- Network Systems Analyst - Computer Technology Program
- Medical Assistants - Health Science Technology Program
- Financial Analysts - The Academy of Finance
- Office Clerks, General - Business Technology Program
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping - Horticulture Program
Earn National Certification in a CTE Program
These programs allow for students to test for national certifications, allowing for higher pay and a wider spectrum of job opportunities:
- Building Construction Technology
- Business Technology
- Climate Control / HVAC
- Computer Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Health Science Technology
Our Career Cluster System
Pinkerton Academy and the Center for Career & Technical Education have adopted the Career Clusters model developed through the National Career Clusters initiative. Visit them on the web at: www.careerclusters.org.
The diagram above shows Pinkerton CTE programs, which are based on the Nationally recognized
pathways model. Six clusters break down into 17 career pathways.
Most career discovery courses at PA are one semester single period (.5 credit) classes whose enrollment
is typically 9th and 10th grade students. Most career focused programs are full year double period (2
credit) classes whose enrollment is typically 11th and 12th grade students.
Career clusters identify pathways from secondary school to two and four year colleges,
graduate school 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 Role of CTE in Career Planning
- Enhances academic achievement by providing real-world relevance
- Provides opportunities to explore multiple pathways and better career decisions
- Provides opportunities to enhance academic achievement for all students
- Learners are more focused and engaged
- Provides a framework for curriculum alignment (middle school-high school-post secondary)
- Assists in developing a highly qualified workforce
- 84% of high school students anticipate earning a college degree
- Students who anticipate a degree are unlikely to prepare for a career following high school
- More than 50% of students who begin college do not earn a degree
Source: Rosenbaum, J.E. (2002). Beyond Empty Promises: Policies To Improve Transitions into College and Jobs. U.S.;Illinois:42
Dual Credit
Dual Credit: Pinkerton Academy currently offers 23 courses through the New Hampshire Community College program called “Running Start”.
- Students earn high school and college credit simultaneously.
- These are transferable to many colleges and universities.
- A statewide database www.nhtransfer.org provides the ability to see what transfers among schools.
- In 2009 / 2010 - 217 students received dual credit in 23 courses
Articulation Agreements
Articulation: An opportunity to gain advance standing at an institution directly affiliated with the high school program.
- Currently CTE has agreements with 11 schools including:
- Daniel Webster College
- Rivier College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- NH Community College—Laconia
- University of Northwestern Ohio
- Manchester Community College
- Lakes Region Community College
- Paul Smith’s College
- Unity College
- UNH Thompson School of Applied Science
- State University of NYCobleskill
- No tuition cost or college transcript
- Advanced standing only available at the institution stated in the agreement
Our Advisory Committees
A trademark of CTE is the close partnerships that the department maintains with businesses. Each of the 18 approved career focused programs, as well as programs under
consideration have an Advisory Committee.
These twenty-two committees are comprised of hundreds of practitioners and post-secondary partners who represent the occupational fields upon which the CTE programs are based. The
practitioners assist classroom instructors with program development
and selection of equipment.
This professional input ensures that our staff maintains real-time links with the world of work.