CTE in Washington State

February 2024 | WA-ACTE Flyer

The Washington economy is experiencing a skills gap…

• 49% of jobs in Washington require skills training — more education than high school but less than a four-year degree.
• 38% of Washington workers are trained at this level.

Career and technical education (CTE) programs can fill these gaps, particularly in Washington's key industries, like:

• aerospace
• agriculture and food manufacturing
• information and communications technology
• maritime

Many students are already enrolled in CTE in Washington, developing technical, academic and employability skills and engaging in work-based experiences with industry partners. During the 2021-22 school year, Washington had:

• 189,428 secondary CTE participants
• 84,105 postsecondary CTE participants

In 2022, 96% of Washington high school CTE concentrators graduated having completed at least one dual-credit course.

These youth and adult learners in CTE programs are more engaged, graduate high school at higher rates, earn industry-recognized credentials, and have rewarding and family-sustaining careers.

• 27,123 postsecondary credentials earned by CTE students in Washington (2021-22)

Four-year cohort graduation rate in Washington (2021-22)

• 92% CTE Concentrators 
• 83.6% All Students

FY 23 Federal Perkins CTE Funding for Washington: $25,945,021

More investment is needed to scale CTE programs across Washington to ensure that all learners, including historically underserved learners, have access to high-quality CTE programs in high-skill, high-wage and in-demand career fields.

CTE: Good for Students, Good for Business, Good for Communities!

For more information visit www.acteonline.org, www.k12.wa.us/student-success/career-technical-education-cte, https://wtb.wa.gov/about-us/carl-perkins-cte and www.wa-acte.org. Data sources are available from publicpolicy@acteonline.org.