For students mapping out their futures, the right opportunities can make all the difference. Career Technical Education (CTE) connects classroom learning to real-world skills, helping students turn their interests into career paths. With hands-on experiences and industry-aligned curriculum, CTE doesn’t just prepare students for the workforce—it gives them a competitive edge. By building technical literacy, problem-solving abilities, and confidence, CTE empowers students to step into their futures with purpose.
Early Career Preparation
High school is an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming chapter in a student’s life. As they step into adulthood, many face the pressure of making decisions that could shape their futures—often for the first time. For some, the uncertainty of whether their passions can translate into viable careers makes the future feel daunting, leaving them hesitant to commit to a path forward.
CTE programs ease this pressure by giving students early exposure to transferable skills across industries. Whether exploring fields like engineering or construction, students gain problem-solving, teamwork, technical communication, and STEM-based reasoning—skills that open doors in any career. It’s no surprise that CTE students are more likely to be employed after high school; they graduate with self-assurance, adaptability, and experience advantages.
With Pitsco’s True Scale House Framing Kit, students don’t just learn about construction—they build it. This hands-on kit brings carpentry to life, allowing students to apply real measurement, planning, and teamwork skills as they construct a scale-model house frame. As they cut, assemble, and reinforce each section, they gain firsthand experience with industry tools and techniques, mirroring the process used in residential construction. The result? A tangible project that showcases their skills and builds confidence in their ability to tackle real-world construction challenges.
Bridging the Growing Skills Gap in America
"Am I ready for this?" It’s a question many students ask as they consider life after high school. With so many schools relying on conceptual learning and passive instruction, their concern isn’t unfounded. Employers are asking the same thing. Skill gaps are now widely recognized as the biggest barrier to business transformation, with 85% of employers prioritizing workforce upskilling—and 40% considering staff reductions due to a lack of relevant skills. CTE gives students the chance to develop real-world skills now—before they enter the workforce.
Pitsco’s 3-D Printing: Vehicle Engineering Package puts these skills into action. Students take on real-world engineering challenges, designing, prototyping, and testing vehicle components with cutting-edge 3-D printing technology. Along the way, they learn to work within a budget, conduct peer reviews, and embrace creativity as a tool for innovation. These are the same challenges professionals face daily—making CTE resources like this essential in bridging the gap between education and industry, so students can embrace those next steps with more certainty.
Enhanced Graduation Rates and Post-Secondary Success
Research shows that 81% of high school dropouts would have stayed in school if their learning felt more relevant. The issue isn’t ability—it’s engagement. When students see a real-world connection between their coursework and their futures, they’re more likely to stay invested.
CTE educators, like Brandi Peace of Tri-County Tech in Oklahoma, witness this firsthand: “My students split their school day between high school and here. I’m always surprised to hear that kids sometimes skip their regular class; attendance is always high here, and so is student participation.” She credits the hands-on approach for keeping students engaged.
This engagement translates to real results. CTE programs boast a 94% graduation rate—14% higher than non-CTE programs. By emphasizing hands-on, immersive learning, CTE helps students experience concepts in action, making education tangible and meaningful. When learning feels real, students are more likely to show up, stay engaged, and see a future in what they’re learning.
Pitsco’s Drone Infinity Kit is a powerful example of how hands-on learning drives student engagement. By building and flying their own drones, students apply physics and engineering concepts in a tangible way while also developing problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. But its real impact goes beyond theory—after being tested by students and educators, the kit has proven its ability to turn even the most hesitant learners into eager, hands-on participants.
Promoting Success Beyond the Classroom
For high school students, what they learn in the classroom doesn’t stay in the classroom—it creates pathways toward careers that could define parts of their identity and the world around them. Hands-on CTE programs drive both immediate and long-term success by deepening engagement, providing early career exposure, and equipping students with the skills to thrive in an evolving workforce.
Support these possibilities with scalable CTE resources that inspire, challenge, and prepare students for what’s next. With Pitsco, you’re not just enhancing education—you’re laying the foundation for students to build their futures with confidence.