FAQ

A Career Cluster is a group of occupations that share similar features. The Career Cluster framework is developed by Advance CTE and helps CTE programs organize their curricula. They also help with planning and coordinating plans of study from secondary to postsecondary school. Virginia currently has 17 Career Clusters.

There are 83 pathways among the 17 Career Clusters in Virginia. Within each Career Cluster, there are multiple career pathways that represent a common set of skills and knowledge, both academic and technical, necessary to pursue career opportunities within that pathway – from entry-level to management, including technical and professional career specialties. Based on the skills sets taught, all CTE courses are aligned with one or more Career Clusters and career pathways. 

You can find information about course using the search button on this page (enter a course title, keyword, or course code) or by selecting a Career Cluster and exploring each of the pathways. Once you find the course you're looking for, you will see a complete listing of information, from the description to concentration sequences to credentials associated with the course.

Detailed information about Career Clusters in Virginia is available on the Virginia Department of Education's Career Clusters page.

Within your course in Verso are two links: "View Curriculum Framework in Canvas" and "Download Cartridge File." The first link will take you to Virtual Virginia, where you can view your course content. The second link is a downloadable Common Cartridge file that can be uploaded into Canvas or any other learning management system. For detailed instructions on how to bring course content into Canvas, click here.

Information once found in the Administrative Planning Guide (APG) — such as course descriptions, course sequences, credentials associated with a course, etc. — now can be found on each course page.

If you are on a course page and want more information about a credential/license, simply click on the credential title to see more. You can also search for credentials using the Search button, or by clicking the link in the Resources drop-down menu at the top of the page. Once you are on the Credentials page, you can search by title or keyword.

For help with program administration and management, go to the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Program Administration and Management page (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/career_technical/administration/index.shtml). Also download the CTERS Manual (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/info_management/data_collection/instruction/career_tech/index.shtml) on the VDOE website.

There are two ways to see whether teachers are eligible to take certain credential examinations. Each credential information page includes a notation on whether the teacher can take the examination. For teachers seeking initial licensure with endorsements in an area of career and technical education, go to the VDOE Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Pathway to Industry Certification page and see "Teacher Industry Credentials" section for a list of available credentials.

CTE courses found on this website can be taken at public middle and high schools in Virginia. The CTE Resource Center works with the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education to create, validate, and revise courses. If you find a course on our website, check with your local school division to see whether it is offered.

Work-based learning is a school-coordinated sequence of experiences that are related to a student's career goals or interests. It enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world business or community. Most opportunities will be related to the CTE course the student takes and be coordinated through the school. Virginia's public schools offer the following work-based learning, from lowest to highest degree of engagement:

• Job shadowing
• Mentorship
• Service learning
• Internship
• Clinical experience
• Cooperative education
• Youth registered apprenticeship
• Registered apprenticeship
• Supervised agricultural experience

Students often take credentials examinations at the conclusion of their coursework. Some courses are associated with multiple credentials, and the educator will work with the student to determine the best credential examination to take. Some licenses are regulated by a state agency and may have a minimum age requirement to take the examination. The examinations can be offered online, in the school, or at a testing facility.

The CTE Resource Center currently offers only remote professional development that covers how to access course information, how to use the website, and how to access course content on Canvas/Virtual Virginia.

To get the posters — which are free to Virginia's public school teachers — use the "Contact Us" button on this page to send a request. Be sure to include your name and school address. The posters will be mailed to you at no charge.

Upon request, the CTE Resource Center provides meeting rooms and catering services to local school divisions and state/local agencies. Use of Center facilities is generally restricted to groups affiliated with Career and Technical Education (CTE), Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS), and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Meeting space is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Go to our Meeting and Event Facilities page for more information.