Did you know that Delaware is a leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE)? Through Delaware Pathways, the state offers 28 state model CTE pathways across 16 Career Clusters, positioning itself at the forefront of career-focused education.
In the 2023-2034 academic year, 63.7% of students engaged in CTE, with 8,250 students enrolled in Work-Based Learning, and Delaware’s CTE students achieved a graduation rate of 96.4%, surpassing state targets. As a national leader in CTE, Delaware Pathways provides students with incredible opportunities to strengthen workforce readiness and drive economic development.
CTE Month recognizes the impact of Career and Technical Education in preparing students for high-skill, in-demand careers. Through Delaware Pathways, students are empowered with the knowledge, experience, and industry connections they need to succeed. Throughout February, CTE programs across the state have been in the spotlight, showcasing student achievements and real-world learning experiences. Let’s highlight a few of them:
Through Delaware Pathways, students in culinary programs gain hands-on experience that directly prepares them for careers in the food industry. At Juniper Village at Newark, culinary students from Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School showcased their skills in a live cooking competition.
The competition, guided by Chef Scott Cave and assistant principal Michael Paoli, allowed students to demonstrate their culinary expertise. The event also featured a mentorship session with executive chef Aking DeLeon, who provided insight into career opportunities in the culinary field, reinforcing the importance of career-connected learning through Delaware Pathways.
“I loved this event. I did not expect this type of environment, and the residents were really nice,” shared Jayla Elliot, a student in the Culinary Arts program. “I definitely would love to return to Juniper for volunteer and Co-op opportunities.”
This event exemplifies how Delaware Pathways connects students with hands-on learning experiences, preparing them for future careers in the culinary industry and beyond.
Read more about this achievement.
Interested in Culinary and Hospitality Management, click here.
As part of the CTE Month celebration, the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education (DACCTE), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Department of Education, hosted a statewide CTE poster contest. Sarai Vivar-Lucero from Cape Henlopen High School earned first place with their inspiring design, The Key to Success, which will be featured on social media throughout February.
Through programs like this, Delaware Pathways encourages students to explore their creativity and career ambitions while fostering a deeper appreciation for the impact of CTE. Congratulations to the top winners from Cape Henlopen, Conrad Schools of Science, and Caesar Rodney High School!
Delaware Pathways continues to pave the way for student success, and this is evident in the achievements of Delaware’s U.S. Presidential CTE Scholars candidates. These students have been recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and career and technical education.
Congratulations to:
Conner Jackson (Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School)
Isha Kanchana (Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School)
Chuiyee Kong (Caesar Rodney Senior High School)
Arnav R. Taduvayi (Odyssey Charter School)
Michelle Zhou (Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School)
These students embody the mission of Delaware Pathways by demonstrating that career-focused education leads to remarkable opportunities. Their hard work and dedication reflect the value of integrating academic achievement with technical skill development.
Click here for more information.
The Business Professionals of America (BPA) Delaware Association hosted its State Leadership Conference at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort on February 5 and 25th. This dynamic event brought together 1,000+ students from across Delaware to compete in 60+ business-related events, demonstrating their skills in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more.
With the support of dedicated judges, workshop facilitators, exhibitors, and sponsors, students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences and network with industry professionals. Winners from the conference will now advance to the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL, where they will represent Delaware on a national stage.
CTE Month is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of how Delaware Pathways transforms students’ futures. Through career-connected learning, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences, students are gaining the tools they need to thrive in competitive career fields.
By investing in CTE and expanding opportunities through Delaware Pathways, we are not just shaping students’ futures, we are strengthening Delaware’s workforce and economy.
Learn more about Delaware Pathways and discover how you can get involved!
